Glynn County Board of Commissioners, Village Creek Boat Ramp Modification and Enhancements, Village Creek, 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 the Glynn County Board of Commissioners for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify and enhance the Village Creek Boat Ramp located on Village Creek, 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.

The existing boat ramp is approximately 23ft. wide and extends channelward approximately 60ft. (1,380sq.ft.). The ramp is bordered by approximately 230sq.ft. of existing rip rap on the west and 235 sq.ft. on the east. Currently there is no service dock associated with the existing boat ramp and it is often unusable at lower tide stages. The current boat ramp impacts approximately 1845sq.ft. of coastal marshlands.

The applicant proposes to remove and replace the existing boat ramp facility by installing a 23ft. x 70ft. (1610sq.ft.) concrete ramp foundation with an adjacent bottom out floating dock that will sit on the ramp at low tide. The existing ramp footprint will be filled with approximately 24 cubic yards of #4 and #57 stone to achieve the desired slope for the proposed concrete slab foundation. A launch/recovery lane on the concrete foundation will be 14ft. wide bordered with 6in. wide curbs. A 9ft. x 45ft. hinged, bottom out floating service dock is proposed to the west of the boat lane and will be secured on the upland side with a poured concrete header and with three pilings along the western end. There will be one piling placed at the southeastern corner as an indicator for boaters of the terminus of the ramp. The dock will facilitate launching and recovery of vessels eliminating the need for pedestrian traffic on the ramp or vegetated marsh. The curbs and service dock will be located within the footprint of the 23ft. x 70ft concrete foundation. Approximately 800sq.ft. of coastal marshlands will be excavated during grading around the perimeter for the placement of rip rap. Approximately 489sq.ft. of rip rap will be installed along the east side of the slab, 481sq.ft of rip rap will be installed along the west side, and a 69sq.ft. rip rap toe will be installed at the channelward end of the proposed slab, totaling 1,045sq.ft. of rip rap within coastal marshlands. 

As proposed the project will impact approximately 3,455sq.ft. (0.08 acres) of coastal marshlands. 

The upland component will consist of approximately 2,096sq.ft., of which is all within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. Currently the area a paved turnaround and parking area that facilities the use of the ramp. As proposed approximately 1,500sq.ft. of existing paved area directly upland from the top of the proposed slab will be regraded and paved to prevent pooling and match the elevations of the new slab. There will be no proposed changes in use or condition of the 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 Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov. 

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