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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the Glynn County Board of Commissioners for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et seq. for the modification and maintenance of a public beach crosswalk at Massengale Park (Beach Access No. 24), and removal of two floating bridges within SPA jurisdiction, St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed project is considered a minor activity under O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq.
The project was placed on a 15-day public notice on August 12, 2026. Upon completion of the public notice period, it was revealed the SPA jurisdiction line was improperly labeled on the project drawings and did not include the entire SPA jurisdictional area within the subject parcel. The applicant has also decided to withdraw their request for a crosswalk at Arnold Road (Beach Access No. 23) as previously proposed. This notice has been updated to reflect the changes.
SPA Permit #457 was issued March 30, 2018, and extended on March 30, 2023, and authorized the maintenance of twenty-two (22) existing public beach crosswalks on St. Simons Island, the modification of the existing beach crosswalks at Gould’s Inlet, and the construction of a new crosswalk at Wyley Street. Included in SPA #457 was public Beach Access No. 24 at Massengale Park.
Glynn County Public Works Department was issued Letters of Permission (LOP) beginning in 2023 for temporary access across naturally occurring tidal pools. LOP20230048 authorized two temporary public access bridges; LOP20230052 authorized a third temporary public access bridge; LOP20230102 authorized three temporary, floating public access bridges; LOP20240027 authorized three temporary, floating public access bridges and a modification of the crosswalk at the Cedar Street Beach Access No. 21; and LOP20240078 and LOP20250030 authorized two temporary floating bridges. Currently, two floating bridges extend across the East Beach tidal pool seaward of Massengale Park and the King and Prince Golf and Beach Resort.
Due to continued accretion on East Beach and the development of a tidal pool and wetland area within the dynamic dune field, the applicant proposes the removal of the two temporary floating bridges and the modification and maintenance of Public Beach Access No. 24 at the north end of Massengale Park to extend seaward of the dynamic dune field and tidal slough to reach the dry sand beach. According to the applicant, the crosswalk extension will protect and improve public safety by providing ADA access and emergency services (EMS) access.
The existing Public Beach Access No. 24 at the north end of Massengale Park would be removed in its entirety and be replaced with a new ADA and EMS vehicle accessible crosswalk. The proposed 13ft. x 676ft. crosswalk would extend seaward from the upland and terminate in a ramp perpendicular to the shoreline, seaward of the existing dunes and landward of the OHWM. Landward of the tidal pool, a 455sq.ft. section of pedestrian ramp and stair access will extend laterally from each side of the crosswalk. Here at its widest section, the crosswalk would be 41.42ft. in width. The applicant proposes to construct the crosswalk within a 33ft. x 672.5ft temporary disturbance corridor, narrowing to 20.5ft. wide for 162ft. as it crosses the wetlands and tidal pool. The corridor expands to 41.85ft. around the existing flagpole and then expands again to 61ft. wide around the lateral access ramps. Temporary impacts of the construction corridor are 12,727sq.ft. An additional 278sq.ft. area of vegetation would also be cleared for construction access to Public Beach Access No. 24 and a 316sq.ft. area will be temporarily impacted by the construction staging area at the southeast corner of the parking lot. Total proposed temporary impacts within SPA jurisdiction of Public Beach Access No. 24 at Massengale Park would be 13,043sq.ft. (0.30 acres), and total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed Public Beach Access No. 24 crosswalk would be 9,698sq.ft. (0.22 acres)
The crosswalk will be raised a minimum of 36in. above the sand throughout its length. All construction access will occur from the applicant’s property at Massengale Park, and an equipment staging area will be established and utilized at the southeast corner of the park parking lot. All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished using low impact hand tools and a small excavator with a vibratory pile driving attachment. Temporary construction mats will be placed in the wetlands beginning on the landward side of the tidal pool and extending into the tidal pool along the temporary construction limits shown on the attached drawings. The selected contractor will be required to construct a temporary access corridor that is stable and dry so that equipment does not contact jurisdictional wetland areas or water in the tidal pool. Stacked timber mats in the tidal pool may be utilized and/or a floating modular system. All work within jurisdiction and all equipment will be operated within the proposed crosswalk alignment and temporary disturbance corridor. Removal of existing structures shall be removed to the dune surface. No digging or excavation will occur. Any native dune vegetation impacted by construction activity will be replaced in like kind.
Total proposed temporary impacts within SPA jurisdiction would be 13,043sq.ft. (0.30 acres), and total impacts of Public Beach Access Public Beach Access No. 24 at Massengale Park within SPA jurisdiction would be 9,698sq.ft. (0.22 acres).
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. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
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 11, 2026, to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
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