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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 Jekyll Island Authority for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit modification under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct a living shoreline around the east and west terminal ends of a culvert at Fortson Pond, Crane Road, Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed permit modification 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.
CMPA Permit #787 was issued March 16, 2021 and authorized the construction of a living shoreline along the eastern and western banks of an existing wooden pile-supported bridge over a tidal creek connecting to Fortson Pond, and a culvert replacement located under an asphalt section of the road approximately 0.2 miles south of the wooden bridge.
To prevent erosion at the culvert replacement site authorized under CMPA Permit #787, the applicant proposes to install an additional living shoreline around the eastern and western terminal ends of the culvert and along both sides of the tidal creek at each terminal end of the culvert under Crane Road.
The proposed living shoreline project area consists of the eroding banks of the road shoulder on both terminal ends of the culvert.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of the construction of a living shoreline and will include placement of oyster filled bags, geogrid, and Filtrexx tubes. Minor grading of jurisdictional areas may occur as necessary to achieve a slope ranging from 1:1 to 3:1. Impacts associated with the living shoreline will consist of 234.26 sq.ft. along the north and south banks of the western terminal end of the culvert and 198.4 sq.ft. along the north and south banks of the eastern terminal end of the culvert. Total impacts within coastal marshlands associated with the living shoreline will be 432.66 sq.ft. (0.01 acres).
The upland component of the proposed project is 1,002 sq.ft. (0.023acres) and is located within the 50ft. coastal marshlands buffer. Sediment and equipment will be brought in via the upland to pack the bank prior to permanent structures being installed within the upland component. Filtrexx tubes filled with natural compost material will be installed directly landward of the oyster bags with impacts occurring on the upland. The tubes will be planted with native vegetation (Spartina alterniflora, Borrichia frutescens, Spartina patens, etc.). Impacts associated with the installation of the Filtrexx tubes will consist of 90.9 sq.ft. on the western terminal end of the culvert and 81.1 sq.ft. on the eastern terminal end of the culvert. The components of the living shoreline will be anchored to the graded slope with 4 ft. sediment anchors. Total impacts within the upland component associated with the living shoreline will be 172 sq.ft. (0.004 acres). All temporary impacts within the upland component will be restored to the preconstruction state.
As proposed the project will impact approximately 432.66 sq.ft. (0.01 acres) of coastal marshlands with an upland component consisting of approximately 1,002 sq.ft (0.023 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. 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 November 10, 2022 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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