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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 Dow Hoffman and Rhonda Hoffman 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 bank stabilization project along Sylvan Island Road, Sylvan Island, Williamson Creek, 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 is located on the west side of Sylvan Island Road, approximately 1,300ft. downstream of the Sylvan Island Road vehicular bridge spanning Williamson Creek. Erosion has accelerated in the vicinity of the proposed rip-rap revetment. Within the project area, sections of the existing road are within +/-15ft. of the eroding bank. Several large trees have fallen into the creek and remaining trees are being undercut. The Sylvan Island Road causeway is the only vehicular access for residents of Sylvan Island.
The proposed project includes grading the 209ft. x 28ft. section of the bank within the project area, installing filter fabric, and placing Class B and Class C rip-rap in CMPA jurisdiction along Williamson Creek shoreline. In total, the bank stabilization project will include installation of approximately 4,080sq.ft. (0.094 acre) of riprap, 480cu.yd., seaward the CMPA jurisdiction line. The project also includes the placement of rip-rap landward the CMPA jurisdiction line.
The proposed project does not have 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 November 2, 2024 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
