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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 Hawkins Island Property Owners Association, Inc. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain a community dock facility on Dunbar Creek, St. Simons Island, 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 applicant is proposing construction and maintenance of a Tier Two Community Dock facility to serve the Hawkins Island subdivision. The proposed community dock facility will include a 6ft. x 480ft. (2,880sq.ft.) walkway extending from the upland to a 20ft. x 20ft. (400sq.ft.) fixed deck. Extending east from the fixed deck will be a 4ft. x 30ft. (120sq.ft.) ramp leading to a 10ft. x 80ft. (800sq.ft.) floating dock. The proposed dock facility will extend approximately 45.5ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is approximately 139.3ft. at Mean Low Water (MLW). The fixed terminal end of the dock facility will be constructed 10.2ft. from the straight-line extended property line of the neighboring riparian lot to the west and 18.9ft. from the GADNR Corridor to the east. Upon completion, the proposed project will impact a total of approximately 4,200sq.ft. (0.096 acre) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component of the project consists of a 14,035sq.ft. common area that includes a portion of the wooden walkway to provide access to the marshlands component (420sq.ft.), a grass pathway (311sq.ft.) providing access from the wooden walkway to four grass car parking spaces (1,082sq.ft.), and a portion of the existing concrete driveway for the neighboring property to the left (499sq.ft.).
The 50ft. marshlands buffer totals 10,822sq.ft. and will consist of a 6ft. x 51ft. (306sq.ft.) portion of the wooden walkway and the portion of the existing concrete driveway for the neighboring property (499sq.ft.). The 50ft. marshlands buffer is 2.83% impervious and will remain 2.83% impervious upon completion of the project.
The community dock qualifies as a “Tier Two Community Dock” in accordance with The Rules of The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Chapter 391-2-3-.03 Regulation of Marinas, Community Docks and Commercial Docks.
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 28, 2026 to Maitland Bass, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at Maitland.Bass@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view the Application.
Click here to view the Description.
