An official website of the State of Georgia.
February 14, 2023
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Installation of Rip Rap at Rhetts Island Outfalls
Altamaha River, McIntosh County, Georgia
This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from State of Georgia: Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as Custodian for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to install and maintain rip rap at six existing water control structures located at Rhetts Island on the Altamaha River, McIntosh 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 outfalls were installed as part of DNR’s improvements to the Altamaha Game Land-Rhett’s Island Units, which also included maintenance activities consisting of interior canal cleanout and dike retopping to repair storm damage and enhance the managed tidal impoundments. The result of this work greatly improved the water flow in and out of the units, enhancing the wetlands and improving habitat. The result of the increased waterflow has been significant erosion and scouring on the river side of some of the outfalls that threaten the stability of the water control structures.
The proposed rip rap will be installed on the Altamaha River side of six of the existing water control structures. The rip rap will be installed by barge to an elevation just below the tide control pipe invert. Tide control structure #1A will have a 35ft. x 20ft. (700sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 91cu.yds of rip rap. Tide control structure #1B will have a 35ft. x 25ft. (875sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 153cu.yds of rip rap. Tide control structure #1C will have a 35ft. x 25ft. (875sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 108cu.yds of rip rap. Tide control structure #1D will have a 35ft. x 25ft. (875sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 93cu.yds of rip rap. Tide control structure #2C will have a 35ft. x 20ft. (700sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 73cu.yds of rip rap. Tide control structure #3F will have a 35ft. x 15ft. (525sq.ft.) area filled with approximately 66cu.yds of rip rap. The installation of rip rap at all 6 locations will impact approximately 4,051sq.ft. (0.093 acres) of coastal marshlands.
There is no upland component associated with the proposed rip rap installation.
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 1, 2023 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
