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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 International Paper Company 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 commercial facility located on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia. The project is less than 1/10 of an acre and is considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The International Paper Company’s existing mill outfall, authorized in 1977, consists of a 5ft. x 90ft. concrete Parshall flume. Effluent is channeled into two (2) 30-inch diameter drop pipes, which discharge through two openings into a 13ft. x 20ft. penned foam corral constructed of sheet pile on the floor of the Savannah River. The top of the discharge openings is located below mean low water. The existing effluent discharge system will remain in place for emergency use. Existing impacts in CMPA jurisdiction total approximately 335 square feet (0.007 acre).
The applicant is proposing the installation of a new discharge pipe and diffuser system to promote enhanced mixing and dispersion of the mill’s treated wastewater effluent into the Savannah River (NPDES Permit #GA0002798). The project area totals 0.22 acre and includes approximately 0.07 acre of CMPA jurisdictional area and 0.15 acre of upland. The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 297 linear feet of 48-inch high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) with seventeen (17) 6-inch duckbill diffuser ports, spaced approximately 7.25 feet apart on center along the effluent discharge pipe which will be anchored to the river bottom at approximately -23ft. mean low water (MLW). Approximately 65 linear feet of the 48-inch HDPE discharge pipe will be located within upland and approximately 232 linear feet of the 48-inch HDPE discharge pipe will be located within CMPA jurisdiction.
Temporary impacts include the installation of approximately 142 feet of sheet pile around the project footprint on the bank of the Savannah River for erosion control during construction. An 18ft. x 110ft. trench will temporarily impact approximately 1,980sq.ft (0.045 acre) of CMPA jurisdictional area. Following installation of the 48-inch HDPE effluent discharge pipe, the excavated material will be replaced, the sheet pile will be removed, and approximately 1,000sq.ft (0.02 acre) of riprap will be installed for stabilization (approximately 74 cubic yards in CMPA jurisdiction). The proposed section of pipe seaward of the bank will be anchored to the river bottom using rectangular concrete ballasts that will impact approximately 2,000sq.ft. (0.05 acre).
Impacts for the proposed discharge pipe and diffuser system total approximately 3,000sq.ft. (0.07 acre) of CMPA jurisdictional area. Total impacts for existing and proposed structures total approximately 3,335 square feet (0.077 acres).
The upland component of the project consists of the installation of a junction box, valve box, and a meter vault. The project includes approximately 6,740sq.ft. (0.155 acre) of temporary impacts to the coastal marshlands buffer associated with the use of equipment for clearing, excavating, and backfilling to install the replacement HDPE effluent pipe and diffuser.
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 February 19, 2022 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click here to view Application
