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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 East River Street, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) Permit under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq. to construct and maintain a public access boat dock located on the Savannah River, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.
CMPA Permit #696 was issued December 12, 2014 and granted a 5-year extension December 12, 2019. The project was not constructed and the applicant is proposing a new permit to complete the project. Existing impacts in CMPA jurisdiction includes bank stabilization and a pile supported riverwalk. These structures were completed in the mid 1990’s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the riverwalk extension project and will be retained. Impacts from the existing approximately 13,300sq.ft. bulkhead and approximately 4,750sq.ft. riprap total approximately 18,050sq.ft. (0.414 acre). The existing pile supported concrete riverwalk is located seaward of the bulkhead and measures approximately 950ft. x 14ft. (13,300sq.ft.). Combined impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing bulkhead, riprap and riverwalk total approximately 31,350sq.ft. (0.719 acre).
The applicant is proposing phased construction and maintenance of 360 linear feet of floating dock. Phase one will consist of a 5ft. x 12ft. (60sq.ft.) access platform extending from the riverwalk with a 6ft. X 80ft. (480sq.ft.) ADA compliant aluminum gangway that originates from the western side of the access platform. The terminal end of the gangway will lead to an irregularly shaped access float (112sq.ft.) located on the landward side of a 11.375ft. x 200ft. (2,275sq.ft.) concrete floating dock which will be located to the west and parallel to the shoreline. The floating dock will extend approximately 40ft. seaward of the existing bank stabilization and be no closer than 130ft. from the southern edge of the Savannah River Navigational Channel. Proposed impacts for phase one of the project total approximately 2,927sq.ft. (0.0672 acre).
Phase two of the proposed project will consist of an additional gangway that originates from the eastern side of the access platform and measures 6ft. x 30ft. (180sq.ft.). The terminal end of the gangway will lead to an irregularly shaped access float (112sq.ft.) located on the landward side of a 11.375ft. x 160ft. (1,820sq.ft.) concrete floating dock which will be located east and parallel to the shoreline. This floating dock will extend approximately 40ft. seaward of the existing bank stabilization and be no closer than 130ft. from the southern edge of the Savannah River Navigational Channel. The proposed impacts from phase two of the project total approximately 2,112sq.ft. (0.0484 acre). As proposed, impacts for phase one and phase two of the dock facility total approximately 5,039sq.ft. (0.1157 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 December 6, 2024 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.
