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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 removal of an existing wooden boardwalk and construction of a new wooden boardwalk within SPA jurisdiction at the Driftwood Beach Access, 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. SPA Permit #457 authorized the maintenance of the existing twenty-two (22) public beach crossovers, inclusive of Driftwood Beach, and authorized the modification of an existing crossover at Gould’s Inlet and construction of a new public crossover at Wyley Street.
The existing Driftwood Beach boardwalk is 5ft. x 195ft. extending from an upland parking area to an 11ft. x 75ft. landing which terminates in the dynamic dune field approximately 800ft. from the ocean. The area within jurisdiction consists of the entire landing area and a portion of the boardwalk (855sq.ft. total), vegetated dynamic dune field, and a tidal pool.
Due to a continued trend of accretion in this area and development of a tidal pool, the applicant proposes to remove the existing boardwalk and landing area and construct a new boardwalk that will extend seaward of the dynamic dune field to reach the dry sand beach. The applicant also proposes installing lateral access to the boardwalk on the landward side to focus foot traffic from both the north and south to a centralized boardwalk. The proposed boardwalk would begin on the upland and extend into SPA jurisdiction 6ft. x 780ft. (4,680sq.ft.). The boardwalk will be raised 36in. above the sand throughout its length terminating in a ramp perpendicular to the shoreline seaward of the existing dunes and landward of the Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM). Extending on each side of the boardwalk will be a 4ft. x 7ft. set of stairs (56sq.ft.). On the seaward side of the stairs will be a switchback ramp attached to the side of the boardwalk consisting of a 4ft. x 36ft. ramp section (288sq.ft.) extending seaward with a 4ft. x 36ft. (288sq.ft.) parallel ramp section extending landward and terminating at grade. Total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed boardwalk will be approximately 5,312sq.ft. (0.122acres).
The applicant proposes to construct the boardwalk within a temporary disturbance corridor that extends 4ft. on either side of the proposed boardwalk alignment, resulting in a total disturbance width of 14ft. Total proposed temporary impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the proposed boardwalk will be approximately 6,968sq.ft. (0.16 acres).
All construction access will occur from the applicant’s property. All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished using low impact hand tools and a small tracked machine with a hydraulic hammer, such as an excavator, operated within the proposed boardwalk 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.
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 February 19, 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 Application.
