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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 John H. Irby and Sarah C. Irby for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct a bulkhead at 260 West 10th Street, Black Banks River, Sea 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 site currently consists of a developed residential lot. There is currently no bank stabilization in place and there has been no active erosion observed at the interface between upland and marsh.
The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of a proposed 153 linear foot wooden bulkhead, which will be constructed in coastal marshlands immediately seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. The proposed bulkhead will require 153sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 1.89 cubic yards of backfill will be located below Mean High Water. The filled coastal marshlands will be stabilized with native, salt tolerant grasses.
As proposed the project will impact approximately 153 square feet (0.004 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component of the project consists of all existing, permanent, and temporary activities taking place within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 7,639sq.ft. Existing structures within the buffer include a 22sq.ft. wall, 424sq.ft. of concrete, a 584.3sq.ft. portion of the residence, a 32.7sq.ft. fire pit, and 66.8sq.ft. of the dock walkway (1,129.8sq.ft.). Currently, 15% of the marshlands buffer is impervious. The permanent impacts associated with the proposed bulkhead will be 13sq.ft. of tieback pilings and 435sq.ft. of tie back cables/rods (448sq.ft.). Temporary construction impacts within the 50ft. buffer will include approximately 585sq.ft. of excavation and equipment operations. After construction of the proposed bulkhead, the site will be stabilized with native vegetation as part of the landscaped residential lawn.
Total permanent impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer total 448sq.ft. which will remain 15% impervious upon project completion.
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 July 14, 2023 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
