This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Coastal Georgia Council, Inc. for the construction and maintenance of an educational and recreational dock facility under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., associated with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Camp Tolochee located on the South Brunswick River, Glynn County, Georgia. The project 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.

The subject property is made up of 314 acres of upland/wetland and is located on the eastern shoreline of the South Brunswick River. The property was deeded to the General Council of the BSA in 1953. In 2014, the Coastal Empire and Okefenokee BSA Councils merged to form the Coastal Georgia Council (CGC). The CGC serves more than 5,000 youths and families annually at their three properties including Camp Tolochee.

The proposed dock facility will consist of a 6ft. x 302ft. (1,812sq.ft.) pile supported walkway leading from the upland to a 10ft. x 10ft. (100sq.ft.) fixed deck. A 3ft. x 20ft. (60sq.ft.) gangway will access a 10ft. x 45ft. (450sq.ft.) floating dock. The proposed structure will extend approximately 40ft. into the waterway at a location where the waterway is approximately 300ft. wide from Mean Low Water (MLW) to MLW. The proposed dock will be located approximately 284ft. west of the extended property line and 115ft. from the extended property line property line to the east. As proposed, the project will impact approximately 2,422sq.ft. (0.05 acres) of coastal marshlands.

The upland component will consist of a 6ft. x 50ft. (300sq.ft.) pervious walking trail though the uplands to provide access to the dock facility.

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: www.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 by the close of business on December 21, 2020 to Paul Tobler, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31250.

Click here for the Application

Click here for the Project Description

Click here for Project Drawings