This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Martin M. Minnich and Ashley Day Minnich for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain a bulkhead and existing riprap at 150 Cardinal Road, Lot 84, Paxton Heights Subdivision, Herb River tributary, Savannah, Chatham 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 with 47.62 linear feet of an existing bulkhead, approximately 64 linear feet of existing riprap, and a private recreational dock facility. The existing bulkhead is unserviceable and will be removed before construction of the new bulkhead. A Revocable License was issued October 7, 2024 (PRD20240090) to modify the private recreational dock facility.

The marshlands component of the project includes riprap maintenance and bulkhead installation. Riprap maintenance will be on the west side of the project area to stabilize the existing riprap as needed after construction (128sq.ft.). Due to active erosion of the shoreline, a 116ft. x 1ft. x 3ft. bulkhead will be installed up to 2.67ft. seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line with 7.84 cubic yards of back fill (257.1sq.ft.). The majority of the backfill seaward of the CMPA line will be placed to protect a large existing live oak tree on the shoreline. The additional fill will preserve the tree and support long term stability of the shoreline. Any work conducted seaward of the bulkhead will be on foot using hand tools. As proposed the project will permanently impact approximately 385.1sq.ft. (0.009 acre) of coastal marshlands.

There is no upland component as it does not qualify under 391-2-3-.02, Regulation of Upland Component of a Project.

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 January 17, 2025 to Cheyenne Osborne, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at Cheyenne.Osborne1@dnr.ga.gov.

Click here to view the application.

Click here to view the project description.

Click here to view the drawings.

Click here to view site photos.