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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Foster Family Irrevocable Trust for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et seq. for clearing of vegetation and construction and maintenance of a private beach driving access point within the State’s SPA jurisdiction on Cumberland Island, Camden County, Georgia. The proposed project is considered a minor activity under O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq.
There are currently eight (8) designated beach driving access points on Cumberland Island. The proposed private beach driving access point would be approximately 0.4 miles north of Beach Access Point #3 located on Stafford Beach Road and 5.25 miles south of Beach Access Point #2 located at South Cut Trail. According to the applicant, the existing beach driving access points are either privately owned or owned by the National Park Service, which is unable to guarantee access. The proposed beach driving access would lie entirely on the applicant’s property and be used to connect their existing upland beach pavilion to the beachfront. If permitted, the applicant would also grant emergency vehicle access to National Park Service personnel.
The subject lot is 4,965,840 sq.ft. (114 acres). The total project footprint is 3,075 sq.ft. (0.07 acres) of which approximately 2,827 sq.ft. (0.06 acres) lies seaward of the SPA jurisdictional line. The area within jurisdiction consists of a vegetated dynamic dune field. The applicant proposes to clear vegetation to create a vehicle-accessible pathway beginning on the upland of the subject lot and leading seaward through the dynamic dune field to access the beach.
The cleared beach access pathway will be approximately 10ft. x 300ft. beginning on the upland and leading seaward along the shortest route over the lowest area of the dynamic dune field to the beach. The terminal end of the proposed pathway will terminate perpendicular to the shoreline and seaward of the Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM). Total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed, cleared pathway will be 2,827 sq.ft. (0.06 acres).
There will be no grading, excavation, or fill and no trees over 4 inches in diameter will be removed. All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished using low impact hand tools.
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. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
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 November 1, 2025 to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view Application.
