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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 the Glynn County Engineering Services for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct a new drainage ditch connection to an existing tidal ditch adjacent to Spur 25, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed project is under 1/10 of an acre, and therefore may be considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The existing stormwater management system that provides drainage to the College Park neighborhood is not sufficient. Currently the area drains to an existing ditch west of Spur 25 and then flows under the road to a system of ditches that empty along US17 north of Palmera Lane. The system is not adequate to drain the large, developed basin resulting in frequent flooding in the area.
The proposed project is to improve the existing stormwater system by constructing a new diversion ditch to the existing Cypress Mill Creek Canal. For the system to function properly, the existing non-tidal drainage ditches directly adjacent to the catchment basin will be excavated to improve capacity. Immediately south of the improved existing ditch, a new upland ditch will be excavated to the proposed point of discharge into Cypress Mill Creek.
The marshlands component will consist of excavation of the bank and a portion of the canal below the ordinary high-water mark at the intersection of the creek and new diversion ditch. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are 1,707sq.ft. with approximately 109 cubic yards of material to be removed and trucked to an approved upland disposal site. All temporary impacts occur above the ordinary high-water mark.
The upland component of the project consists of a 0.43 acre upland area adjacent to the marshlands component landward of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) jurisdiction line. All proposed activities will occur within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. These activities will consist of temporary impacts during construction of the marshlands component for access and erosion control.
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 September 18, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
