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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA-DNR) of a request from Jekyll Island Promenade Partners, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to maintain an existing private commercial dock and two private boat ramps on Waverly Creek, Camden 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 private commercial dock and two private boat ramps have previously been permitted under a Revocable License in 1985. Since then, the property has changed ownership at least nine times and unpermitted changes were made to structures in CMPA jurisdiction since the original project was licensed. On December 7, 2021, GA-DNR staff met with the landowners and found that maintenance and modifications were being performed on the existing dock structure. GA-DNR staff issued a Field Notification Form requiring the Respondents apply for a CMPA permit for maintenance of the modified existing facility.
The applicant is proposing to maintain the existing commercial dock facility and two boat ramps. The existing dock facility consists of a 5.5ft. x 13.9ft. (76.45sq.ft.) walkway with a 12.2ft. x 15.2ft. (185.44sq.ft.) covered deck. To the left of the deck is a 7.1ft. x 59ft. (418.9sq.ft.) walkway. This walkway leads to a 9ft. x 13.5ft. (121.5sq.ft.) second access point. A 7.1ft. x 78ft. (553.8sq.ft.) walkway continues to the left of the second access point. At the terminal end of the walkway is a 3.3ft. x 30.3ft. (100sq.ft.) ramp used to access a 12ft. x 16ft. (192sq.ft.) floating dock. The existing commercial dock facility extends 0ft. into the waterway at the location where it is 12ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW). The existing northeast boat ramp is approximately 10.6ft. wide and extends channelward approximately 90.4ft. (958.24sq.ft.) and the southwest boat ramp is approximately 16.6ft. wide and extends channelward approximately 54.5ft. (904.7sq.ft.). The existing commercial dock facility and two boat ramps impact approximately 3,511.03sq.ft. (0.08acres) of coastal marshlands.
The existing upland component of the project consists of the 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with the two boat ramps. The 50ft. marshlands buffer for the project totals approximately 15,849.7sq.ft. (0.36 acres). The 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with the northeast boat ramp totals approximately 7,279.9sq.ft. which includes a 517.9sq.ft portion of the existing northeast boat ramp. The 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with the southwest boat ramp totals approximately 8,569.8sq.ft. which includes a portion of the southwest boat ramp (410.1sq.ft.), the concrete walkway (201.9sq.ft.), and a permanent structure/concrete patio (891.1sq.ft.). Existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with the southwest boat ramp total approximately 1,503.1sq.ft. Existing impacts to the upland component total 2,012sq.ft. There are no proposed permanent structures, proposed plantings, vegetative gradings, or pedestrian accesses located within the marshlands buffer for either boat ramp.
Existing impervious cover within the upland buffer is limited to the existing upland extension of the boat ramps, a section of a concrete walkway, and a permanent structure which includes a concrete patio. The impervious area totals approximately 2,012sq.ft. or 12.7% of the total upland buffer area. Maintenance to the existing structures will not result in an increase to impervious areas. Stormwater will continue to sheetflow into the surrounding coastal marshlands as it does currently.
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 December 4, 2025 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 Application.
