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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 Colonial Terminals, Inc. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct & maintain improvements to an existing fender and mooring system, Colonial Terminals Plant 2, Dock 2, in 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 existing industrial facility was authorized in 1983. The dock is located on the Savannah River, approximately 1.4 miles upstream of the Talmadge Bridge (US Highway 17). The dry bulk handling facility offloads and holds product in a series of storage silos on the adjacent upland. Stored product is then redistributed to vessels on the Savannah River by a system of conveyors and loaders on the existing pile- supported facility.
The existing facility consists of a 110ft. x 90 ft. (9,900sq.ft.) concrete platform leading to a 210ft. x 25ft. (5,250sq.ft.) T-shaped pierhead with mooring and breasting dolphins located upstream and downstream of the facility. On the downstream side of the dock is a second 50ft. x 80ft. (4,000sq.ft.) concrete platform that contains a conveyor/unloader system used to unload ships. The existing industrial facility, including concrete platforms, dolphins, and catwalks totals approximately 24,144sq.ft. (0.554 acre)
The applicant proposes to replace the existing fender system and mooring infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels at the facility. Currently, the facility contains four (4) fenders mounted on existing breasting dolphins and a timber whaler system mounted to the face of the facility and supported by steel H-piles. The existing timber whaler system and support piles will be removed from the face of the existing facility prior to installation of new cone fenders. Eight (8) proposed fenders will each include a 12ft. x 4ft. (48sq.ft.) fender and a concrete fender panel mounted to the face of the dock, supported by two (2) 1.5sq.ft. concrete piles (3sq.ft.). and a cone fender with a steel frontal panel. Each fender structure will be approximately 8ft. x 5.75ft. (46sq.ft.). Impacts for the new fender system total approximately 776sq.ft. (0.018 acre).
Within the footprint of the existing concrete platform, six (6) existing mooring bollards will be replaced with larger (150 ton) bollards. To support the heavier loads, behind each of the bollards, the applicant proposes removing a section of decking, installing six (6) 1.5sq.ft. concrete battered piles (54sq.ft.) at each location, and re- installing a more substantial pile cap. Impacts for the new bollard system total approximately 324sq.ft.(0.007 acre).
Proposed impacts to coastal marshlands, including installation of new fenders, total approximately 830sq.ft. (0.025 acre). Impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing and proposed structures total approximately 24,974sq.ft. (0.57 acre). The applicant has stated that the project does not contain an upland component.
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 2, 2022 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnrga.gov.
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