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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 River Street Market Landing, 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 commercial dock located at 504 East River Street, Savannah, Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The existing commercial dock is home to Savannah Riverboat Cruises, Inc., which operates the Savannah River Queen (600 passengers). CMPA Permit #293 authorized the existing facility that includes a 260ft. x 10ft. 4-inch floating dock (2,686.67sq.ft.) seaward of the bulkhead. There are twelve (12) existing 18-inch support piles (18sq.ft.). A 22ft. x 6ft. loading platform (132sq.ft.) extends from the upland and a 5ft. x 80ft (400sq.ft.) ADA compliant gangway provides passengers with access to moored vessels at the dock. There is no mooring on the landward side of the floating dock. Total impacts for the existing commercial dock total 3,236.67sq.ft. (0.075 acre). The existing dock extends approximately 16ft. into the waterway at Mean Low Water (MLW), where the waterway is approximately 735ft. wide.
The applicant proposes to modify the in-water structure in phases. Phase 1 includes the replacement of the existing facility with a 260ft. x 16ft. floating dock (4,160sq.ft.). The twelve (12) existing 1.5ft. support piles (18sq.ft.) will remain. An additional eight (8) 2ft. steel pipe piles (16sq.ft.) will be installed. The 22ft. x 6ft. loading platform (132sq.ft.) extending from the upland and a 5ft. x 80ft. ADA compliant gangway (400sq.ft.) will remain and a second 20ft. x 6ft. loading platform (120sq.ft.) extending from the upland and a 6ft. x 80ft. ADA compliant gangway (480sq.ft.) will be installed. There will be no mooring on the landward side of the floating dock. The proposed structure would extend 19ft. into the Savannah River at MLW at a location where the river is approximately 735ft. wide. As proposed, existing impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with Phase 1 will total approximately 5,326sq.ft. (0.12 acre), and new impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with Phase 1 will total approximately 5,326sq.ft. (0.12 acre), and new impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with Phase 1 will total approximately 4,776sq.ft. (0.05 acre).
Phase 2 includes installation of 230ft. x 16ft. of new floating dock (3,680sq.ft.) that will be accessed by extending the existing 22ft. x 6ft. landing platform (132sq.ft.) by 11ft. x 6ft. (66sq.ft.) and an associated 80ft. x 6ft. gangway (960sq.ft.). Six (6) 2ft. steel piles (12sq.ft.) will secure the structure. Phase 1 and Phase 2 floating docks will be connected in water by a 12ft. x 15ft. floating dock (180sq.ft.) accessed by a 6ft. x 30ft. gangway (180sq.ft.). There will be no mooring on the landward side of the floating docks. As proposed, new impacts to CMPA jurisdiction associated with Phase 2 will total approximately 5,5,036sq.ft. (0.12 acre).
Upon completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2, the in-water structure would extend 19ft. & 21ft. respectively into the Savannah River at MLW at a location in the river is 735ft. wide. The entire facility will be no closer than 79.5ft. to the southern limit of the federally maintained navigation channel. When Company tour boats are moored at the facility, their seaward beam will be no closer than 26ft. 11in. to the southern limit of the federally maintained navigation channel. 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 February 12, 2026 to Deb Barreiro via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov or Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click here to view Application.
Click here to view Description.
