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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a request from Georgia Department of Natural Resources 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 living shoreline associated with Hunt Camp on Newell Creek, Ossabaw Island, Chatham County, Georgia.
Ossabaw Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is the third largest of Georgia’s sea islands and it encompasses over 16,000 acres of tidal marshes and 9,000 acres of upland property. The project site is located on the southwestern side of Ossabaw Island in the vicinity of the Hunt Camp Dock and Barge Landing on Newell Creek. This location serves as an important link for island managers loading and unloading equipment, supplies, staff, and the public onto the island. The dock is the mandatory access point for all permitted hunters and authorized visitors arriving by boat on the southern end of Ossabaw Island Wildlife Management Area. The shoreline is actively eroding at this location. The applicant proposes to construct and maintain a living shoreline within Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) jurisdiction.
The historic Hunt Camp dock facility is within the proposed project footprint, and it includes a 6ft. x 30ft. (180sq.ft.) fixed walkway that leads to a 3ft. x 30ft. (90sq.ft.) gangway that lands on a 6ft. x 10ft. (60sq.ft.) float and provides access to the 6ft. x 120ft. (720sq.ft.) floating dock. Impacts associated with the Hunt Camp dock total 1,050sq.ft. The facility extends approximately 40ft. into Newell Creek at a point where the waterway is approximately 245ft. at Mean Low Water (MLW).
The existing barge landing located on Newell Creek was constructed from concrete slabs and functions as a landing for barge traffic. The facility includes a 24ft. x 22ft. reinforced concrete ramp, two seven-pile mooring dolphins, and rip-rap immediately seaward of a sheet pile bulkhead.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of constructing and maintaining 1,225 linear feet of living shoreline north and south of Hunt Camp dock. Approximately 404cy of sediment will be excavated seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. Approximately 3,075cy of clean fill sourced from a permitted onsite upland borrow pit will be placed, after which the bank will be graded. Clean concrete and/or rip rap will be installed to create a 3ft. x 3ft. x 1,225ft. toe, in addition to articulated concrete block and heavy-duty vegetated erosion control mats for slope protection, light duty vegetated mats and coir logs along the top of bank.
Within the limit of disturbance for the project, existing stands of Spartina will be removed and then replanted in lieu of new plantings where possible. Additionally salt tolerant fauna including Borrichia frutescens, Iva frutescens, Senecio vulgaris, Muhlenbergia capillaris, and Distichlis spicata, shall be planted 3 feet on center within the area to be vegetated as identified in the proposed landscape plan.
The top of new concrete toe protection shall not protrude above the existing creek bank or obstruct navigation in the channel. The living shoreline will extend 20-40ft. seaward from existing shoreline, based on existing conditions. The toe of slope elevation and distance into channel will vary along the length of the bank; the existing grade is irregular and will be matched at top and bottom. Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the proposed living shoreline are 43,913sq.ft. (1.00 acre) and will include 3,075cy of fill within coastal marshlands and 404cy of fill landward of jurisdictional coastal marshlands to tie the living shoreline to the existing upland.
There is no upland component for the living shoreline as it does not qualify under 391-2-3-.02, Regulation of Upland Component of a Project.
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 September 4, 2026, to Deb Barreiro at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov or Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here to view the Application.
Click here to view the Description.
