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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from 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 improve existing county maintained drainage infrastructure in the vicinity of Ashley Road, Wilmington Island, 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.
At the project site west of Wilmington Island Road, an existing outfall with associated bank stabilization are located within a dedicated Chatham County Right of Way (ROW). The applicant states that the drainage in the neighborhoods along Ashley Road is impaired by the 36-inch culvert. Existing impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with the culvert total 230sq.ft. (0.005 acre).
The proposed project includes replacement of the existing 36-inch drainage outfall with a 60-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) outfall, and the installation of approximately 931 square feet (0.02-acre) of riprap at the seaward terminus of the replacement pipe. Temporary impacts to coastal marshlands for construction of the project total approximately 550sq.ft. (0.01 acre). For the project area, permanent impacts including riprap and culvert replacement total approximately 931sq.ft. (0.02 acre) of impacts to coastal marshlands.
Temporary impacts to the 50ft. marshlands buffer include grading and filling where the outfall will be replaced. All temporary impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will be restored to the preconstruction state. Discharged stormwater from the upland component of the project will be managed according to the policy, criteria, and information including technical specifications and standards in the Coastal Stormwater Supplement to the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual.
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 October 1, 2026, to Deb Barreiro via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov or mailed to Georgia Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
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