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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 GKT Properties, Inc. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify an existing commercial dock at the Georgia Kaolin Terminal (GKT) located on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
CMPA Permit #773, issued April 17, 2020, authorized the existing facility including the 550ft. x 45ft. pile supported concrete deck (24,750sq.ft.) with a 41ft. x 117ft. (4,797sq.ft.) deck extension and 380sq.ft. triangular-shaped access platform on the downstream end and two (2) 28ft. x 100ft. (2,800sq.ft.) access bridges on each end (the southern access bridge is landward of CMPA jurisdiction). On the downstream side of the northern access trestle is a 1,700sq.ft. triangular deck extension. Along the landward side of the dock are six (6) 3ft. x 10ft. pile supported caps (180sq.ft.) and (2) 3ft. x 11ft. (66sq.ft.) pile supported caps supporting a cement unloader and elevated jetty conveyor. Upstream and downstream of the dock are two (2) mooring dolphins (718sq.ft.) connected to the main dock by 5.5ft. wide concrete walkways (735sq.ft.). The shoreline is stabilized with rip-rap totaling approximately 1,250ft. x 25ft. (31,250sq.ft.). An existing 2.24 acre berth is maintained at a depth of -42ft. mean low water (MLW) by annual maintenance dredging authorized under US Army Corps of Engineers project # SAS-2001-12670. Impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with the existing dock structure (3,6126sq.ft.) and bank stabilization total 67,376sq.ft. (1.55 acres). The existing dock extends approximately 65ft. into the waterway from MLW where the waterway is approximately 1,060 feet wide MLW to MLW.
The applicant recently acquired the adjacent parcel to the northwest that includes an existing inland boat basin and commercial dock facility along the Dundee Canal. Impacts include the existing 355ft. x 45ft. (15,975sq.ft.) main wharf and two (2) 37ft. x 50ft. (3,700sq.ft.) access bridges. Commencing from the upstream end of the main wharf is a 4ft. x 90ft. (360sq.ft.) catwalk connecting to a 12ft. x 12ft. (144sq.ft.) mooring dolphin. Southwest of the main dock is a second 70ft. x 32ft. (2,240sq.ft.) wharf with a 4ft. x 300ft. (1,200sq.ft.) pier extending downstream. The entire shoreline fronting Dundee Canal and the Savannah River is stabilized with rip-rap totaling 1,010ft. x 25ft. (25,250sq.ft.). Impacts within CMPA jurisdiction associated with existing structures on this parcel total approximately 48,869sq.ft. (1.12 acre).
Combined impacts from existing structures within CMPA jurisdiction on both GKT Properties total approximately 116,245sq.ft. (2.66 acres).
The applicant proposes to extend the dock upstream and add a new breakbulk berth to accommodate breakbulk cargo. An existing 17ft. x 24ft. octagonal mooring dolphin (408sq.ft.) and 5.5ft. x 130ft. (715sq.ft.) catwalk on the northwest end of the existing dock will be removed. The dock extension will consist of an 810ft. x 70ft. pile-supported wharf structure (56,700sq.ft.) with a 57,490sq.ft. apron extending to the upland. On the upstream side of the dock will be a new mooring dolphin (700sq.ft.) connected to the dock with a 60ft. x 5.5ft. (330sq.ft.) catwalk. A total of 15 new cone fenders will be mounted to the face of the dock, each measuring approximately 9.5ft. x 5ft. (713sq.ft. total). The fender line of the dock extension will break slightly to the west from the alignment of the existing seaward face in order to line up parallel with the south edge of the Federal Navigation Channel of the Savannah River at this location. The applicant also proposes to modify the existing dry bulk transfer tower on the existing dock and add a 12ft. x 100ft. (1,200sq.ft.) conveyor from the dock to the upland for the transfer of dry bulk goods. The proposed structures will be no closer than 145ft. from the Federal Navigation Channel. The total area of new pile supported structure is 117,133sq.ft (2.69 acres). As proposed, existing and proposed impacts to CMPA jurisdiction, including the existing docks, bank stabilization, proposed dock, and removal of existing structures will total approximately 232,298 square feet (5.33 acres).
To accommodate modern breakbulk cargo vessels, the applicant proposes dredging to a depth of -45ft. MLLW (with a 2ft. overdredge allowance) between the dock face and the Federal Navigation Channel over a 2.78 acre area. All dredging will be in open water averaging approximately -36ft.-38ft. The existing GKT dry bulk berth is also proposed to be deepened within its permitted dredging extents (2.24 acres) from the currently authorized -42ft. MLW to -45 mean lower low water (MLLW) (with 2ft. overdredge). A 3ft. deep x 8ft. wide trough will be dredged at the fender line. Initial material for both berths will be removed by hydraulic dredging or clamshell methods. Estimated dredging volumes to a depth of -45 MLLW (plus 2ft. overdredge) for both berths total 70,800 cubic yards. The dredge spoils will be deposited into the Georgia Port Authority’s Hutchinson Island Tract B Confined Disposal Facility (CDF).
The applicant proposes as part of this project annual maintenance dredging of 100,000cy. over both berths to an allowable depth of -45ft. MLLW (plus 2ft. overdredge). Maintenance dredging will be conducted in accordance with USACE terms and conditions outlined in the existing maintenance dredging permit. An NPDES Stormwater Permit #GAR050000 was issued June 1, 2022.
The upland component of the project includes the existing industrial facility that services the existing permitted Commercial Facility. The 50ft. marshlands buffer is approximately 24,439sq.ft., of which approximately 18,224sq.ft. is currently developed (impervious). The landward section of the proposed dock (3,243sq.ft.) and associated apron (2,545sq.ft.) that will provide access to the in-water structure will impact approximately 5,788sq.ft. of the 50ft. marshlands buffer. The remaining 6,215sq.ft. is pervious and will not be impacted by the proposed 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 May 11, 2023 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
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