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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 construct two elevated wildlife viewing platforms on Oleander Big Pond, 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 114.5 acres project area was formerly Oleander Golf Course which is now being restored into a wildlife and recreational corridor as part of a Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP). JIA plans to increase public opportunities to travel through this native habitat while learning about the island’s natural resources. Part of this plan includes offering landscape and wildlife viewing opportunities around and on the pond.
The purpose of the proposed project is to enable visitors, residents, and staff of Jekyll Island to view and learn about nature and its processes. Two covered platforms are proposed in order to offer different viewing vantage points, limit issues with capacity, and enable Jekyll Island staff to temporarily close one viewing platform for scheduled educational programs while still ensuring visitors have access to another in the same area.
The marshlands component will consist of two pile supported wildlife viewing platforms at two different locations. Both platforms will be situated adjacent to the western bank of the tidally influenced pond. The first proposed platform will be located on the northern side of the pond where a 40sq.ft. path will access a 5ft. x 8ft. (40sq.ft.) walkway that leads to a 12ft. x 16ft. (192sq.ft.) covered viewing platform. The second proposed platform will be located on the southern side of the pond where a 5ft. x 8ft. (32sq.ft. within CMPA jurisdiction) wooden walkway will provide access to a 12ft. x 16ft. (192sq.ft.) covered viewing platform. The two viewing platforms and associated walkways will impact approximately 496sq.ft. of CMPA jurisdictional area.
The upland component of the project consists of a pervious paths that lead to the observation towers. Permanent impacts within the upland component total 1052sq.ft. from 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 March 10, 2026 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.
