An official website of the State of Georgia.
This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Building Materials Manufacturing Corporation for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain four water quality testing platforms on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia. The proposed project is under 1/10 of an acre, and therefore may be considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The project site is an industrial manufacturing facility. A ship berth is located immediately seaward of the project site, but does not serve the facility. There is an existing ~450ft. long steel sheet pile bulkhead protecting the upland. There are four existing stormwater discharges located along the bulkhead. There are three existing water quality testing platforms located above three stormwater discharge locations. The existing platforms measure 4ft. x 5ft. (20sq.ft.), 4ft. x 5ft. (20sq.ft.), and 4ft. x 8.5ft. (34sq.ft.). Impacts for the existing water quality testing platforms total 74sq.ft.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of removal and replacement of the three water quality testing platforms and construction of a new platform. The three existing platforms will be replaced in the same footprint and a new 4ft. x 5ft. (20sq.ft.) steel platform will be constructed above the southern most discharge pipe. Each platform will have handrails and a davit crane. The platforms will be supported by steel braces attached to the existing bulkhead. The platforms will extend into the waterway 5ft. where it is approximately 909ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW).
As proposed the project will impact approximately 94sq.ft. of coastal marshlands with new impacts totaling 20sq.ft. (0.0005 acres).
The project has no upland component.
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 “Public Notices.”
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 January 25, 2025 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
