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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 two public beach crosswalks, Arnold Road (Beach Access No. 23) and 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.
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. SPA Permit #472 was issued August 23, 2019, to Inn at Lake City, Inc. (DBA King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort) and authorized at Beach Access No. 23 the construction of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant crosswalk with a ramp and stairs and abandonment of the existing crosswalk, among other things. The ADA compliant crosswalk was never constructed.
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 two existing public crosswalks to extend seaward of the dynamic dune field and tidal slough to reach the dry sand beach. The crosswalks include Public Beach Access No. 23 at Arnold Road and Public Beach Access No. 24 at the north end of Massengale Park. According to the applicant, the crosswalk extensions will protect and improve public safety by providing ADA access and emergency services (EMS) access.
Public Beach Access No. 23 at Arnold Road would be modified to extend from the existing sidewalk access with an additional 5.5ft. x 390ft. crosswalk leading seaward and terminating in a ramp perpendicular to the shoreline, seaward of the existing dunes and landward of the Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM). The applicant proposes constructing the crosswalk within a 25.5ft. x 400ft. temporary disturbance corridor, narrowing to 20.5ft. wide for 70ft. as it crosses the wetlands and tidal pool. Total proposed temporary impacts within SPA jurisdiction of Public Beach Access No. 23 at Arnold Road would be 7,705sq.ft. (0.18 acres), and total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed Public Beach Access No. 23 crosswalk would be 2,145sq.ft. (0.05 acres).
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 636ft. 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 492sq.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. Total proposed temporary impacts within SPA jurisdiction of Public Beach Access No. 24 at Massengale Park would be 12,075.26sq.ft. (0.28 acres), and total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed Public Beach Access No. 24 crosswalk would be 9,252sq.ft. (0.21 acres)
Both crosswalks will be raised a minimum of 36in. above the sand throughout their 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. A 10ft. x 487ft. temporary construction access corridor beginning at the south end of Massengale Park and continuing south onto the beach landward of the tidal pool will also be utilized to construct Public Beach Access No. 23 at Arnold Road and temporarily impact an additional 4,870sq.ft. (0.11 acres). 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, access corridors, and temporary disturbance corridors. 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 24,650.26sq.ft. (0.57 acres), and total impacts of both Public Beach Access No. 23 at Arnold Road and Public Beach Access No. 24 at Massengale Park within SPA jurisdiction would be 11,397sq.ft.sq.ft. (0.26 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 August 26, 2026, to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view the Application.
Click here to view the Description.
