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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 Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Coastal Resources Division for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify and enhance the Jekyll Island Boat Ramp located on Jekyll Creek, 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 boat ramp and service dock were first permitted for construction in 1981 under CMPA permit #133 and later modified in 2008 under CMPA permit #571, which established the ramp and service dock’s current orientation. The applicant proposes to improve the boat ramp by increasing the slope of the upper portion of the ramp, adding rip rap for erosion protection, and installing pervious pavers at the ramp approach.
The existing boat ramp is approximately 50ft. wide and extends channelward approximately 176ft. (8,800sq.ft.), stabilized by 508sq.ft. of rip rap to the north and 545sq.ft. of rip rap to the south. The service dock, located on the northern side of the ramp, includes a 4ft. x 18ft. (72sq.ft.) concrete sidewalk, and a 3ft. x 6ft. (18sq.ft.) concrete landing that provides access to a 6ft. x 115ft. (690sq.ft.) pile supported metal walkway leading channelward to a 4ft. x 24ft. (96sq.ft.) gangway. The gangway provides access to an L-shaped floating dock made up of a 10ft. x 20ft. (200sq.ft.) gangway landing and a 10ft. x 92ft. (920sq.ft.) mooring float parallel to the channel. The existing boat ramp, service docks and walkways impact approximately 11,849sq.ft. (0.27 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The marshlands component of the proposed project will consist of improvements to the boat ramp, rip rap stabilization, and reconstruction of portions of the concrete landing and sidewalk. The improvements to the surface of the boat ramp will be made within the existing footprint of the ramp and will therefore not create any additional impacts to CMPA jurisdiction. The existing ramp will be removed and approximately 145cu.yds of rip rap will be added to the excavated area to achieve the appropriate slope. The new ramp surface will be poured in place. Approximately 246sq.ft. (30cu.yds.) of riprap will be added on the north side of the new ramp surface and 581sq.ft. (16cu.yds.) of rip rap will be added on the south side of the new ramp surface within CMPA jurisdiction for erosion control and stabilization. Approximately 112sq.ft (5cu.yds.) of filter stone will also be added to the north side of the new ramp surface. The proposed improvements total 939sq.ft. (0.02 acres) of proposed impacts to CMPA jurisdiction. Upon completion the boat ramp will impact a total of 12,788sq.ft. (0.29 acres) of coastal marshlands
The upland component of the project is an approximately 29,465sq.ft. (0.68 acres) area that consists of a 2,300sq.ft. area of the impervious paved ramp, 232sq.ft. of pervious rip rap, and a 4,720sq.ft. impervious gravel drive area. The area of the upland component within the 50ft. buffer totals approximately 24,764sq.ft. (0.57 acres). Currently there is approximately 7,020sq.ft. (28%) of impervious surface within the 50ft. marshlands buffer.
The proposed improvements to the upland component include elevating a portion of the ramp, addition of associated riprap and stone, pervious pavers, concrete sidewalk, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking area.
The proposed upland component will consist of 1,117sq.ft. of impervious ADA parking spaces and sidewalk, replacing the impervious gravel drive with 4,720sq.ft. of pervious TrueGrid paving of which 3,613sq.ft. will be replaced within the 50ft. marshlands buffer, addition of 601sq.ft. of pervious rip rap and 234sq.ft. filter stone. The proposed impervious area within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will total approximately 3,407sq.ft. (14%) upon completion. Stormwater will sheet flow off the parking area and percolate through the pervious pavers.
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 April 16, 2025 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
