This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Garrett B. Hartley & Kelli N. Hartley, as joint tenants with right of survivorship 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 a bank stabilization project at 114 Bluff View Drive, Ogeechee River, Bryan 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 currently consists of an undeveloped residential lot and naturally vegetated shoreline. There is currently 647sq.ft. of existing riprap on the eastern and western property boundary. There has been active erosion observed at the interface between upland and marsh. 

The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of the installation of 160 linear feet of riprap (448.5 cubic yards) in coastal marshlands immediately seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. As proposed the project will impact approximately 3,270sq.ft. (0.08 acres) of coastal marshlands. 

The upland component of the project consists of temporary construction activities within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 8,239.83sq.ft. The temporary construction impacts will include equipment operations and staging of materials. The upland component will remain 100% pervious after the construction of the proposed riprap and will be stabilized with natural vegetation. 

 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 28, 2024 to Maitland Bass, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at maitland.bass@dnr.ga.gov.

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