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 the Chatham County Department of Engineering 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 improvements to an existing county maintained roadway and infrastructure, Walthour Road, associated with Betz Creek, Chatham County, Georgia.
The project corridor extends approximately +/- 0.17 mile from the terminus of the existing bridge over Betz Creek, south along the Walthour Road causeway. Walthour Road is utilized by residents from surrounding subdivisions on Wilmington Island as a commuter route. The existing causeway consists of two 10-foot-wide travel lanes with grassed shoulders.
The applicant is conducting improvements to the existing roadway and is proposing activities to stabilize the road, improve drainage and enhance public safety. The proposed project includes the construction and maintenance of a concrete bulkhead with associated rip-rap toe; installation of a pedestrian sidewalk, curb and gutter system, and guardrails; drainage improvements; and, rip-rap matting.
In an attempt to stabilize the southbound travel lane and shoulder that are experiencing erosion from Betz Creek, a 270ft. x 1ft. (270sq.ft.) concrete bulkhead will be cast in place, and 310ft. of rip-rap varying from 8ft. to 9ft. wide (2,681sq.ft.) will be placed along the seaward toe of the constructed bulkhead. Approximately 5,280sq.ft. (1,000cy.) of clean fill will be installed landward of the proposed bulkhead in CMPA jurisdiction, upon which the 5ft. wide pedestrian sidewalk will be constructed along the length of the causeway with a curb and gutter system and guardrails. Total impacts associated with construction of the bulkhead, rip-rap and fill within coastal marshlands is approximately 8,231sq.ft. (0.189 acre).
A new stormwater outfall is proposed to extend from the southbound land that includes construction of a 3ft. x 3.75ft. (11.25sq.ft.) precast concrete apron and headwall; 6ft. x 7ft. (42sq.ft.) of rip-rap will be installed to stabilize the outfall. Total impacts associated with construction of the stormwater drainage improvements within coastal marshlands are approximately 53.25sq.ft. (0.001 acre).
Revetment matting will be installed along the shoulder of the northbound travel lane. Total impacts associated with the proposed revetment matting within coastal marshlands are approximately 4,017sq.ft. (0.092 acre).
In addition, construction of the proposed improvements will include temporary impacts associated with construction of the concrete bulkhead and drainage infrastructure. Temporary impacts associated with re-grading and other construction related activities are approximately 1,221sq.ft. (0.028acre).
As proposed, the project will consist of approximately 5,280sq.ft. (1,000cy) of fill and will permanently impact approximately 12,301sq.ft. (0.28 acre) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant has stated that the project does not contain an 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 the close of business on March 7, 2022 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click here for the Application
Click here for Project Description
Click here for Project Drawings
