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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 Elizabeth Clark Peeples & Elizabeth Clark Peeples, Trustee of the Elizebeth Clark Peeples QTIP Trust UAD for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain and existing bank stabilization project at 5 Sylvan Island Road, Sylvan Island, Herb River, Chatham 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 project site consists of a developed residential lot with a private residential single-family dock permitted in 1987. The existing bank stabilization project includes a 24ft. long x 6ft. high steel sheet pile bulkhead, an 8ft. long x 3ft. high timber bulkhead and 325ft. long x 10.5ft. wide x 1ft. thick rip rap bank stabilization along the Herb River. Impacts from the existing bank stabilization project include 2,477sq.ft. (0.05 acre) of riprap seaward the CMPA jurisdiction line and 914sq.ft. (0.02 acre) of riprap landward of the CMPA jurisdiction line within the 50ft. marshlands buffer.
The marshlands component of the proposed project will include excavation of approximately 115 cubic yards of existing riprap. The applicant proposes to grade a section of the bank, install 375ft. long x 30ft. wide filter fabric on the bank, and install 5,710sq.ft. (0.13 acre) of riprap seaward of the CMPA line. In total, the project will include installation of an additional 3,233sq.ft. (0.07 acre) of riprap seaward the CMPA jurisdiction line and 848sq.ft. (0.019 acre) landward the CMPA jurisdiction line.
As proposed the project will impact approximately 5,710sq.ft. (0.13 acre) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component of the project consists of all existing, permanent, and temporary activities taking place within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 5,517sq.ft. (0.13 acre). Existing structures within the buffer include approximately 914sq.ft. (0.02 acre) of riprap landward the CMPA jurisdiction line. Currently, 99% of the marshlands buffer is pervious. Permanent impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with the proposed bank stabilization will be 1,762sq.ft. (0.04 acre) of riprap landward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. Temporary construction impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will include approximately 3,755sq.ft. of excavation and equipment operations. Approximately 99% of the marshlands buffer will remain pervious upon project completion.
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 October 28, 2023 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov
Click here for Project Description
