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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 David W. Lang for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify the existing commercial dock facility located on the St. Marys River, Camden County, Georgia. The proposed project 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 existing commercial facility consists of a 0.14-acre upland property that is occupied by several existing commercial buildings. The building directly adjacent to the waterway extends seaward over the CMPA line and impacts 1,270sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. This building is connected to a fixed deck/walkway that impacts 1,757sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The existing dock serves as a mooring for commercial transportation vessels that ferry visitors to and from Cumberland Island. A 252 linear foot bulkhead is located underneath the building, abutting the upland. Existing impacts to coastal marshlands total approximately 3,279sq.ft. (0.08 acres).
The applicant proposes to modify the existing commercial dock facility and install a new floating dock. Approximately 995sq.ft. of the existing fixed deck will be removed and a new 133sq.ft. section will be constructed channelward of the building. A 6ft. x 55ft. (330sq.ft.) ramp will extend channelward from the western corner of the fixed deck to access a proposed 180sq.ft. floating ramp landing and an 8ft. x 140ft. (1120sq.ft.) floating dock. The ramp landing will be attached to the floating dock by two 5ft. x 5ft. (50sq.ft.) triangular connectors. The proposed modified commercial dock facility will impact approximately 4,072sq.ft. (0.09 acres) of coastal marshlands. The proposed commercial dock facility will extend approximately 76ft. beyond Mean Low Water (MLW) at a point where the waterway is approximately 1,313ft. wide.
The applicant has stated that there is no upland component of the 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 May 1, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application
