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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 Robert Ali for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain a bulkhead with a riprap toe at 818 Wilmington Island Road, Lots 53, 54, and 55, Walthour Subdivision, Savannah, 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 project site currently consists of a developed residential lot with a private recreational dock facility. A Revocable License was issued December 03, 2007 (LOP20070074) to maintain the existing historical boathouse. The site has experienced significant erosion due to the tidal fluctuations and the high velocity currents of the Wilmington River, along with the presence of a bulkhead on both neighboring properties.
The marshlands component of the project includes construction of a bulkhead with a riprap toe. A proposed 304.5ft. long x 1ft. wide (304.5sq.ft.) bulkhead will be installed along the CMPA jurisdiction line with 1,218sq.ft. (90.22CY) riprap at the toe of the bulkhead. Construction will take place from the upland using a mini excavator. No backfill is proposed within CMPA jurisdiction. The project will permanently impact approximately 1,522.5sq.ft. (0.035 acre) of coastal marshlands.
There is no upland component as it does not qualify under 391-2-3-.02, Regulation of Upland Component of a Project.
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 December 19, 2025 to Cheyenne Osborne, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at Cheyenne.Osborne1@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view Application.
