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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 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify and enhance the James Allen Williamson Champney River Park located on Champney River, McIntosh County, Georgia.
The existing boat ramp, fishing pier and parking lot was first permitted in 1981 by CMPA permit #127 and modified in 2003 by CMPA permit #415 that included modifications to the service dock. The applicant proposes to renovate the entire 3.3 acre project site which will include expanding the boat ramp, reconfiguring and enhancing the service dock, installing a new barge landing, replacing the deteriorated boardwalk in the northwest corner of the project area, elevating the ~2.5 acre parking lot, and adding bioswales in the parking lot.
The existing boat ramp is approximately 50ft. wide and extends channelward approximately 70ft. (3,500sq.ft.). The service dock, located on the western side of the ramp, includes a 4ft. x 80ft. (320sq.ft.) pile supported walkway leading channelward to a 4ft. x 24ft. (96sq.ft.) gangway. The gangway provides access to an L-shaped floating dock made up of a 10ft. x 20ft. (200sq.ft.) gangway landing and a 10ft. x 30ft. (300sq.ft.) mooring float parallel to the channel. The existing boat ramp, service docks and walkways impact approximately 4,416sq.ft. (0.10 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant proposes to reconstruct the boat ramp and service dock which will consist of a 56ft. x 106ft. (5,936sq.ft.) two-lane concrete ramp with a 6ft. center divider. The ramp will extend 30ft. channelward of Mean Low Water (MLW) and will be protected by rip rap on the east and west sides. The portions of the proposed ramp (4,160sq.ft.) and rip rap (1,400sq.ft.) within CMPA jurisdiction will impact approximately 5,560sq.ft. (0.13 acres) of coastal marshlands, of which 2,060sq.ft. (0.05 acres) will be new impacts. The proposed new service dock will include a 6ft. x 85ft. (499sq.ft. in jurisdiction) aluminum, fixed walkway leading from the upland to a 4ft x 30ft. (120sq.ft.) gangway that will access an 8ft. x 40ft. (320sq.ft.) floating dock perpendicular to the bank. An 8ft. x 60ft. (480sq.ft.) floating dock will be attached to the channelward end of the perpendicular float and extend west, parallel to the channel. The fixed walkway will also provide access to a 10ft. x 30ft. (300sq.ft.) fishing pier to the west of the terminal end of the walkway. Approximately 1,719sq.ft. (0.04 acres) associated with the service dock, floats, and pier will be located within CMPA jurisdiction.
The existing concrete pilings that are used for a barge landing will be removed and replaced with a steel sheet pile-supported concrete barge landing. The proposed barge landing will consist of an irregularly shaped 35ft. wide landing area extending from the parking lot to the CMPA jurisdiction line. Channelward of the jurisdiction line, the landing area will be supported by approximately 690sq.ft. of rip rap. There will be two 35sq.ft. timber dolphins placed 60ft. apart channelward of the proposed rip rap for barge mooring and located above MLW. The proposed barge landing will impact approximately 760sq.ft. (0.02 acres) of coastal marshlands. Maintenance to portions of an existing 5ft. wide elevated walkway in the northwestern corner of the project area is proposed in the current footprint.
As proposed, the project will impact approximately 4,539sq.ft. (0.10 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The existing upland component of the project is approximately 2.5 acres (108,900sq.ft). Currently, the parking lot area consists of approximately 97,686sq.ft. of impervious paved asphalt, 3,444sq.ft. of impervious sidewalks and 7,500sq.ft. of pervious grass islands. The area of the upland component within the 50ft. buffer totals approximately 78,844sq.ft. (1.81 acres). Currently there is approximately 42,291sq.ft. (54%) of impervious surface within the 50ft. marshlands buffer.
The proposed improvements to the upland component include raising the elevation of the parking lot to alleviate persistent flooding issues that often limit accessibility. The proposed improvements to the parking lot includes the addition of fill, bioswales, and pervious grass pave.
The proposed upland component will consist of 66,742sq.ft. of impervious asphalt parking area, 3,444sq.ft. of impervious sidewalks and restroom pad, 1,914sq.ft. of impervious barge landing area, and 33,628sq.ft. of pervious grass pave parking area. The proposed impervious area within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will total approximately 28,146sq.ft. (36%) upon completion. Stormwater will be treated with four underdrained bioretention areas within the paved portion of the upland component that will lead to a proposed stormwater bioretention area spanning the entire eastern side of the 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 July 14, 2023 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
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