Sea Island Acquisition LLC, Modification of an Existing Marina, Black Banks River, Sea Island, Glynn County, Georgia

Glynn County, Georgia

This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Sea Island Acquisition LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify an existing marina located on the 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.

CMPA Permit #709 was issued on September 21, 2015 and allowed for the modification and maintenance of the marina facility. The existing marina impacts 6,532 sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The applicant is utilizing all available mooring space and proposes to modify the marina by constructing an additional 850 square feet of floating docks.

The marina currently consists of a 10 ft. x 70 ft. (700 sq.ft.) walkway leading to a 1,275 sq.ft. pile-supported fixed deck. A 6 ft. x 40 ft. (240 sq.ft.) gangway extends from the fixed deck north to 840 sq. ft. of floating docks. A second 6 ft. x 40 ft. (240 sq.ft.) gangway extends from the center of the fixed deck channelward to 320 sq. ft. of floating docks. A third 6 ft. x 40 ft. (240 sq.ft.) gangway extends from the fixed deck to the south to 1,496 sq. ft. of floating docks. The existing facility extends approximately 101 feet beyond mean low water (MLW) at a point where the river is approximately 254 ft. wide at MLW.

The applicant proposes the addition of nine (9) 10ft. x 11.6ft. floating docks (1,044 sq.ft.) to the channelward floating dock seaward of the fixed deck, with seven (7) placed to the North and two (2) placed to the South of the existing floating dock. The applicant also proposes to relocate seven (7) existing 8.6ft. x 11.8ft floating docks and a 5ft. x 25ft. dock finger (835 sq.ft.) from the North side of the dock facility to the South side. The dock finger will be relocated to landward of the existing floating dock.

Two (2) 6ft. x 12ft. Floating Watercraft Lifts (144 sq. ft.) and the 6ft. x 40ft. (240sq.ft.) ramp that connects the floating docks to the fixed deck will be removed. 

As proposed, the South end of the Dock Facility will have nine (9) floating docks extending to the South including seven (7) of the relocated docks and two (2) new 8.6ft. x 11.3ft. floating docks (194.4sq.ft.). The modified facility would extend approximately 106ft. beyond MLW at a point where the river is approximately 251 ft. wide at MLW.

As proposed the project modification will impact approximately 854.4sq.ft. (0.03 acres) of coastal marshlands. Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing and proposed structures are approximately 7,384sq.ft.

The applicant has stated that there is no upland component associated with the modification request. 

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 19, 2021 to Dillon Richter, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick Georgia, 31520.

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