This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the River’s Edge Homeowners Association, Inc. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to maintain and modify a community dock facility located on Vernon River, Chatham 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 dock facility consists of a 7.8ft. x 6ft. walkway which extends from the upland and narrows into a 6.3ft.-6.8ft x 338ft. walkway (2,252sq.ft.) extending seaward to a 15.8ft. x 29.8ft. (471sq.ft.) covered fixed deck. To the left of the origin of the walkway is a 32.5sq.ft. shower area. Extending from the right side of the fixed deck is a 3ft. x 24ft. (72sq.ft.) ramp that accesses a 10ft. x 148ft. (1,480sq.ft.) floating dock. A 2.32ft. x 23.6ft. (54.75sq.ft.) gangway extends seaward from the floating dock to access a 12ft. x 42ft. (504sq.ft.) floating dock. The existing dock facility extends approximately 78.2ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is approximately 1,120ft. at Mean Low Water. Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing dock facility is approximately 4,866.25sq.ft. (0.11acre).

The proposed modification to the dock facility includes adding a 6ft. x 17ft. (102sq.ft.) walkway extension extending seaward from the existing fixed deck. The 3ft. x 24ft. ramp will extend to the right of the walkway extension to access the 10ft. x 148ft. (1,480sq.ft.) floating dock which will be relocated seaward of its current position. A new 6ft. x 32ft. (192sq.ft.) gangway will extend seaward from the floating dock to access the 12ft. x 42ft. (504sq.ft.) floating dock which will also be relocated seaward. Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the modified dock facility will be approximately 5,105.5sq.ft. (0.12acre). The proposed dock facility will extend approximately 107.5ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is approximately 1,120ft. at Mean Low Water. 

The proposed structure is considered a “Tier 3 Community Dock” in accordance with The Rules of The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Chapter 391-2-3-.03 “Regulation of Marinas, Community Docks and Commercial Docks.”

The proposed 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 29, 2024 to Cheyenne Osborne, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at cheyenne.osborne1@dnr.ga.gov.

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