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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from King and Prince Villas Condominium Association, Inc. for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et seq. for trimming of vegetation within the State’s SPA jurisdiction at 1300 Downing Street #10000, St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed project is considered a minor activity under O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq.
The subject property is located north of Arnold Road and east of Downing Street, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The area within jurisdiction consists of a shrub layer with native vegetation including wax myrtle, cabbage palmetto, loblolly pine, saw palmetto, greenbrier, virginia creeper, and paspalum grass. An existing rock revetment is partially exposed on the south end of the project limits.
The applicant proposes to conduct maintenance of the existing vegetation due to overgrowth which impedes ocean views of the adjacent condominium. The area within SPA jurisdiction subject to the proposed activities is 8,317 sq.ft. The applicant proposes to hand trim and maintain vegetation to the height of the existing rock revetment. No root structures will be trimmed or damaged, and all trimmings will be removed to an upland disposal site outside of jurisdiction. The project will not result in the removal of native species and will not alter the existing vegetation’s function in stabilizing the dune that covers the existing rock revetment. As proposed, approximately 8,317 sq.ft. (100%) of the state’s jurisdictional area would remain in a natural topographic and vegetative condition.
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. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
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 November 2, 2022 to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
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