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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 Colonial Terminals, Inc. 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 mooring/breasting system and to maintain and repair the existing shoreline stabilization, Colonial Terminals Plant 2, Dock 3, Savannah River, Chatham 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 existing industrial facility was authorized in 1983. The dock is located on the Savannah River, approximately 1.25 miles upstream of the Talmadge Bridge (US Highway 17). The liquid bulk handling facility offloads and holds product in a series of storage silos on the adjacent upland. Stored product is then redistributed to vessels on the Savannah River by a system of conveyors and loaders on the existing pile-supported facility.
The existing facility includes a dock measuring approximately 88ft. x 60ft. (5,280sq.ft.) Upstream of the dock is a 12ft. x 31ft. (372sq.ft.) deck extension, permitted under CMPA Permit #705, and a 6ft. x 50ft. (300sq.ft.) walkway leading to a 15ft. x 15ft. (225sq.ft.) mooring dolphin. Upstream of the dolphin is a 4ft. x 20ft. (80sq.ft.) steel grate walkway leading to a 25ft. x 30ft. (750sq.ft.) breasting dolphin. Downstream of the dock is a 6ft. x 78ft. (468sq.ft.) walkway leading to a 25ft. x 30ft. (750sq.ft.) breasting dolphin with a 6ft. x 120ft. (720sq.ft.) walkway connecting the dolphin back to the upland. The upland is protected by existing rip-rap and concrete along the banks. The total amount of existing bank stabilization within the project limits measures approximately 36.5ft. x 554ft. (20,221sq.ft.). Existing structures within CMPA jurisdiction including the concrete dock, walkways, dolphins, and bank stabilization total approximately 29,166sq.ft. (0.67 acre).
The applicant proposes to re-configure the mooring/breasting dolphins to accommodate larger vessels at the facility. On the upstream side of the dock, the existing 6ft. x 50ft. walkway, 15ft. x 15ft. mooring dolphin, and 4ft. x 20ft. walkway will be removed (605sq.ft.). A new 26ft. x 31ft. (806sq.ft.) dolphin will be installed adjacent to the existing dock, and a new 6ft. x 55ft. (330sq.ft.) walkway will connect to the remaining upstream dolphin. On the downstream end of the dock, a 31ft. portion of the walkway will be removed (186sq.ft.), and a new 26ft. x 31ft. (806sq.ft.) dolphin will be installed adjacent to the dock. On each new dolphin, a 6ft. x 8ft. fender will be installed on the channelward face (96sq.ft.), and five 12in. wood piles will be installed on each outside corner (8sq.ft. total) Also included in the project is maintenance and repair of the existing 20,221sq.ft. of existing shoreline stabilization. This includes adding or replacing rip-rap as needed throughout the area.
Impacts for the new structures totals 2,046sq.ft. (0.047 acre). Impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing and proposed structures total approximately 31,212sq.ft. (0.51 acre). 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 August 13, 2024 to Maitland Bass, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at maitland.bass@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
