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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 an existing marina facility located on the St. Marys River, Camden County, Georgia.
The existing marina was previously authorized by CMPA Permit #350. The marina was damaged during Hurricane Irma and has since been partially repaired. The applicant proposes to modify and maintain a marina similar to the previously permitted facility. The existing facility consists of a building that extends from the upland into CMPA jurisdiction. The building is surrounded by a fixed deck that includes a catwalk on the east side for access to a fuel tank, a gangway, and floating dock to moor boats for fueling. The existing building and deck are located directly adjacent to the waterway and extend seaward over the CMPA jurisdiction line impacting approximately 5453.2sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. There is an existing bulkhead and rip rap on the property that impacts 2,817sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. An existing 103.9sq.ft. ramp extends from the east side of the fixed deck to access a 502sq.ft. floating dock. There is also a 7.5sq.ft. sink that is cantilevered out from the west side of the fixed deck. Existing impacts to coastal marshlands total approximately 8,883.6sq.ft. (0.20 acres).
The applicant proposes to modify and maintain the marina. A proposed 8ft. x 50ft. (400sq.ft.) ramp will extend channelward from the southern end of the fixed deck to a proposed 10ft. x 18ft. (180sq.ft.) ramp landing. The landing will provide access to a 5,525sq.ft. U-shaped floating dock. The floating dock will be comprised of two 10ft. x 235ft. (4,700sq.ft.) orientated parallel to the channel (East to West) connected on their north ends by a 11ft. x 75ft. (825sq.ft.) floating dock. The proposed modified commercial dock facility will impact approximately 14,988sq.ft. (0.34 acres) of coastal marshlands for a net increase of approximately 6,105sq.ft. (0.14 acres). The proposed marina facility will extend approximately 173ft. beyond Mean Low Water (MLW) at a point where the waterway is approximately 1709ft. wide.
The applicant has stated the project has no 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 March 21, 2025 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
