This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Bryan County Engineering Department for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to fill coastal marshlands in order to improve an existing road located in jurisdictional coastal marshlands associated with the Ogeechee River, Bryan County, Georgia. The proposed modification is less than 1/10 of an acre and is considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.

Mill Hill Road is identified on a plat for Mill Hill Landing subdivision dated October 25, 1975, as an existing 60ft. ROW named Mill Hill Trail. Mill Hill Road provides the only vehicular access point for the approximately one hundred fifteen (115) residential lots within the developed subdivision. Portions of Mill Hill Road are flooded by tidal waters during spring and storm related high tide events. The project limits are compromised of 1.32 acres of upland, 0.75 acres of coastal marshlands and an additional 0.01 acre of freshwater wetlands. As proposed, the project includes approximately 3,484.8 square feet (0.08 acre) of impacts to coastal marshlands. 

The applicant proposes to raise the elevation to an average height of 5.0 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL) along approximately 1,500 linear feet (0.29 mile) existing roadway. A total of approximately 398 cubic yards of fill in coastal marshlands will be used to recreate two (2) ten foot (10ft.) travels lanes, with two foot (2ft.) paved shoulders and two foot (2ft.) grass shoulders on either side of the roadway, and a gravel slope of 2:1. There  are no proposed improvements to the existing sixty (60) inch reinforced concrete pipe and associated rip rap within the project area.

As proposed the project will consist of approximately 398 cubic yards of fill and will permanently impact approximately 3,484.8 square feet (0.08 acre) of coastal marshlands.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. Impacts to coastal marshlands must be minimal in size. In passing upon the application for permit, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee shall consider the public interest: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful obstruction to or alteration of the natural flow of navigational water within the affected area will arise as a result of the proposal; (2) Whether or not unreasonably harmful or increased erosion, shoaling of channels, or stagnant areas of water will be created; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicants proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, clams, or other marine life, wildlife, or other resources, including but not limited to water and oxygen supply.
 
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Marsh & Shore Permits”

Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed.  Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on March 5, 2020 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.

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