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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 the City of Brunswick for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct headwalls, bank stabilizations, and tide control valves at seven existing stormwater outfall locations within the City of Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia.
The seven existing outfalls have been identified as priority areas as part of the City of Brunswick’s Masterplan to reduce flooding and increase resilience. Each of the seven outfalls are within the city limits and are currently not fully functioning stormwater drains. Six of the outfalls are located in the Riverside Subdivision and one is located adjacent to the St. Marks Towers at the eastern end of Parkwood Drive. The six existing outfalls in Riverside are currently experiencing little to no stormwater drainage capacity and serve as conduits for tidal flooding. The outfall located on Parkwood Drive has an existing unserviceable metal tide control flap gate which is not functional and also serves as a conduit for tidal flooding.
The proposed project is to improve all seven outfalls by installing new headwalls, riprap scour protection, and Tideflex Tidegate check valves. The Parkwood Drive outfall improvements consist of replacing the existing headwall with a modified GDOT 1001-B double precast concrete headwall, installing two 36in. check valves and 441sq.ft. of riprap scour protection. The total project area proposed for the Parkwood Drive outfall is 1,278sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands is 378sq.ft. of permanent impacts. All temporary impacts occur above the ordinary high water line.
The proposed improvements to the six existing outfalls in Riverside will consist of installing modified GDOT 1001-B precast concrete headwalls and check valves, regrading the outfall clearance areas, and placing riprap scour protection. The total area proposed for improvements 4140 Riverside Drive is 1,233sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands include 450sq.ft of permanent and 612sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The proposed improvements to the outfall located at St. Catherine’s Island Lane consists of a total project area of 720sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are 495sq.ft of permanent and 108sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The proposed improvements to the outfall located at 103 Blackbeard Island Circle consist of a total project area of 720sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are 441sq.ft. of permanent and 279sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The proposed improvements to the outfall located at 5018 Riverside Drive consists of a total project area of 873sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are 441sq.ft. of permanent and 432sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The proposed improvements to the outfall located at 5031 Riverside Drive consists of a total project area of 1,386sq.ft. Total proposed permanent impacts to coastal marshlands are 576sq.ft and 810sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The proposed improvements to the outfall located at Sapelo Island Drive consist of a total project area of 1,845sq.ft. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are 828sq.ft. of permanent and 1,017sq.ft. of temporary impacts.
The stormwater outfall improvements at all 7 outfall locations will impact approximately 3,609sq.ft. (0.082 acres) of coastal marshlands. Total temporary impacts will total 3,258sq.ft. (0.075 acres).
The upland component of the project consists of all permanent and temporary impacts occurring within the 50ft. marshlands buffer adjacent to each project area landward of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) jurisdiction line. Six of the locations will have temporary impacts during construction of the marshlands component for access and erosion control.
Three project areas will not have an upland component. The portions of the overall project located at 4140 Riverside Drive, 103 Blackbeard Circle, and 5031 Riverside Drive will only have impacts from construction occurring seaward of the CMPA line.
Four project areas will have an upland component. The Parkwood Drive location will have 239sq.ft of riprap and concrete headwall permanently placed in the upland component. Temporary activities within the upland component will total 661sq.ft. The St. Catherines Island Lane location will have 14sq.ft. of rip rap placed in the upland. The 5018 Riverside Drive location will have 4sq.ft. of rip rap placed in the upland. The Sapelo Island Drive location currently consists of 4sq.ft. of unimproved gravel area in the upland. The upland component for the seven outfall improvement locations totals 199sq.ft. (0.005 acres).
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 July 16, 2023 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
Click here for Project Drawings Part A
Click here for Project Drawings Part B
