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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 Dan Underwood for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to change the use of, and modify and maintain an existing dock facility located on Barbour Island River, McIntosh County, Georgia. The proposed project 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.
The dock facility is an existing Tier 3 Community Dock. A Revocable License (RL) and CMPA Permit (CMP#301) was issued October 1, 1995 to change the use of the dock from a private recreational dock to a community dock. CMP#301 was re-issued and modified on October 30, 1998, to expand the community dock and add a concrete boat ramp. The concrete boat ramp was not constructed. A RL and CMPA Permit (CMP#517) was issued June 19, 2006, to expand the community dock. There is an existing 105.75 linear foot bulkhead north of the dock facility permitted on April 13, 1993 (BST19930003). A RL was issued February 27, 2006 (LOP20060007) to maintain the bulkhead.
The existing dock facility consists of a 6ft. x 30ft. (180sq.ft.) walkway leading to a 4ft. x 25ft. (100sq.ft.) ramp extending seaward to an 8ft. x 76ft. (765sq.ft.) floating dock extending north. On the south side of the walkway is a 15ft. x 105ft. (1,575sq.ft.) partially covered hoist. On the south side of the hoist is a 6ft. x 40ft. (240sq.ft.) walkway leading to a 4ft. x 25ft. (100sq.ft.) ramp extending seaward to an 8ft. x 130ft. (1,310sq.ft.) floating dock extending south. The existing dock facility impacts a total of 4,270 square feet (0.098 acre) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant proposes to change the use of the permitted Tier 3 Community Dock to a Commercial Dock, to modify the dock facility to increase floating dock space, and to perform general maintenance. The proposed modifications include adding an 8ft. x 130ft. (1,040sq.ft. or 0.024 acre) floating dock extension to the south floating dock. The proposed dock facility will extend approximately 63ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is approximately 183ft. at MLW. The fixed terminal end of the dock facility will be constructed 25ft. from the straight-line extended property line to the north and 450ft. from the straight-line extended property line to the south of the structure. Upon completion, the project will permanently impact approximately 5,310sq.ft. (0.123 acre) of coastal marshlands.
There is no upland component for this project.
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 November 2, 2025 to Cheyenne Osborne, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at Cheyenne.Osborne1@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view Application.
