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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 Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, LLC, 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 improvements to an existing outfall located at Georgia-Pacific Savannah Plant on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia. The project is less than 1/10 of an acre and is considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The existing industrial facility is approximately 1.13 miles downstream of the Talmadge Bridge (US Highway 17). The facility offloads gypsum rock shipped to the facility and holds product on the adjacent upland. Stored product is then redistributed to vessels on the Savannah River via the existing pile-supported facility, as well as by truck, and rail.
The existing dock facility consists of a 515ft. x 40ft. (20,600sq.ft.) concrete platform. A 100ft. x 15ft. (1,500sq.ft.) elevated access road flares to 30ft. in width (122sq.ft.) where it meets the terminal end. A 180ft. x 8ft. (1,440sq.ft.) concrete catwalk connects to a mooring bollard downstream while a 210ft. x 8ft. (1,680sq.ft.) concrete catwalk connects to a mooring bollard upstream. A 255ft. x 11ft. (2,805sq.ft.) conveyor commences from the southwestern side of the concrete platform and terminates on the upland. The existing industrial facility, including the concrete platform, conveyors, and catwalks totals approximately 28,147sq.ft. (0.65 acre). There is approximately 420ft. x 15ft. x 2ft. (467cy) of existing riprap landward of the in-water facility. An existing 30-inch outfall (NPDES# GAIS01875) discharges stormwater into the river immediately west of the access road.
The applicant proposes improvements to maintain the continued integrity and functionality of the existing outfall and provide additional control over outfall flows as a preventative measure to reduce the potential risk of pollutant discharge into the Savannah River. The proposed project includes removal of the existing 30-inch diameter Tideflex Valve and replacing it with a new 30-inch diameter Tideflex Valve, installation of a new 30-inch diameter Knife-Gate Valve, and installation of an overhead 5.8ft. x 3ft. catwalk extension platform (17.4sq.ft.) that will provide reliable access at all tidal stages to the outfall. The proposed project will extend the 30-inch outfall pipe 32in. further into the intertidal water column. As proposed, the footprint of the outfall pipe extension would be 6.7sq.ft. (0.00015 acres). Total impacts associated with the proposed project total approximately 24.1sq.ft. (0.0006 acre).
Impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing and proposed structures at this facility total approximately 28,171.1sq.ft. (0.647 acre).
The project does not contain an 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 11, 2025 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnrga.gov.
Click here to view application.
Click here to view description.
