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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 Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to remove an existing culvert and create an open connection to an existing tidal pond on Great Dunes Golf Course, Jekyll 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 project area was formerly Oleander Golf Course which is now being combined with the adjacent Great Dunes Golf Course. As part of the reconfiguration, JIA plans to improve the connection between a tidally influenced pond and a non-tidal pond. Currently the ponds are connected by an existing culvert. The existing culvert has partially failed and does not provide adequate water conveyance.
The purpose of the proposed project is to restore natural water flow dynamics, improve habitat connectivity, and address erosion risks associated with the culvert removal. The existing culvert that connects the two ponds will be removed and a portion of the tidal pond will be excavated. The proposed open water feature will have gentle slopes and promote more natural water conveyance between the two ponds.
The marshlands component will consist of excavation of the bank and a portion of the pipe outlet below the CMPA jurisdiction line at the bank of the tidal pond. Total proposed impacts to coastal marshlands are approximately 2,400sq.ft. with approximately 178 cubic yards of material to be removed and trucked to an approved upland disposal site. No temporary impacts to CMPA jurisdiction will result from construction of the proposed project and any jurisdictional vegetation within the area of excavation will be transplanted to another area of the tidal pond.
The upland component of the project consists of a 16,248sq.ft. (0.37 acre) upland area adjacent to the marshlands component. Permanent impacts within the upland component total 5,800sq.ft. as a result of construction of the marshlands component. The remainder of all proposed construction 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. The entirety of the 50ft. buffer will remain 100% pervious after construction is completed.
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 February 14, 2025 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
