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This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) of a request from Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Company, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct a commercial dock facility located in Bull River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The 0.46 acre subject parcel is the site of what was previously an earthen causeway and an unserviceable private recreational dock facility. The area that was once a causeway has lost elevation over time and is now jurisdictional coastal marshlands. The dock associated with the property is in disrepair and will be removed prior to construction. The proposed project is to construct a commercial dock facility that will be used to facilitate a commercial oyster farming operation.
The marshlands component of the proposed project will consist of a commercial dock facility. A 6ft. x 421ft. (2,526sq.ft.) walkway will lead from the upland to access a 24ft. x 32ft. (768sq.ft.) covered fixed deck. Two 13.5ft. x 30ft. (810sq.ft.) covered boat hoists will be located to the northwest of the fixed deck and accessed by a 5ft. x 30ft. (150sq.ft.) catwalk located between the two boat hoists. A 6ft. x 32ft. (192sq.ft.) ramp will extend channelward from the fixed deck to access a 12ft. x 80ft. (960sq.ft.) floating dock. The proposed commercial dock facility will extend approximately 90ft. channelward past Mean Low Water (MLW) at a location where the waterway is approximately 744ft. wide. The proposed dock will be approximately 2ft. from the extended property line to the east and over the property line to the west. The proposed dock will be located approximately 55ft. from the nearest existing dock to the west and 208ft. from the nearest existing dock to the east.
The proposed commercial dock facility will impact approximately 5,406sq.ft. (0.12 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant has stated the project has no 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 November 1, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
Click here to view description.
