This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the Cumberland Harbour Property Owners Association, Inc. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify CMPA Permit #772 for a community dock facility located on Point Peter Creek, Camden County, Georgia. The proposed modification 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.

CMPA Permit #772 issued April 17, 2020 authorizes the construction of a community dock that will consist of a 6ft. x 255ft. walkway leading from the upland to a 10ft. x 20ft. fixed deck. A 4ft. x 24ft. gangway will extend to the south from the fixed deck to provide access to a 9ft. x 70ft. floating dock. A 9ft. x 14ft. kayak launch will be secured to the inboard side of the floating dock. The community dock facility will extend approximately 39ft. into Point Peter Creek at a location where it is approximately 211ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW). The structure will be located 26ft. from the extended property line to the north and 29ft. from the extended property line to the south.  

The proposed modifications to the permit will be to increase the uncovered fixed deck portion of the community dock facility from 10ft. x 20ft. to a 20ft. x 20ft. covered fixed deck not to exceed 12ft in height. The proposed dock will impact approximately 2,782 square feet (0.06 acres) of coastal marshlands.

The community dock qualifies as a “Tier Two Community Dock” in accordance with The Rules of The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Chapter 391-2-3-.03 Regulation of Marinas, Community Docks and Commercial Docks and the proposed modification to CMPA Permit #772 qualifies as a community dock modification under 391-2-3-.03(7).

There is no upland component associated with the construction of the proposed modification community dock.

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 “Marsh & Shore Permits”

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 September 28, 2020 to Paul D. Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

Click here for the Application

Click here for the Project Description

Click here for Project Drawing