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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 Rockingham Farms, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) Permit under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et seq. to relocate an existing tidal drainage canal at 120 Landmark Boulevard West, Rahn Dairy Tract, Rockingham Farms, Salt Creek Tributary, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.
Rockingham Farms is a 1,000-plus acre industrial and logistics park in Savannah developed through a public-private partnership between Rockingham Farms, LLC, the City of Savannah, and the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). The Rahn Dairy tract is approximately +/- 106 acres, consisting of +/-83 acres of unimproved upland. An existing 100ft. wide powerline and associated easement occupies the southern property boundary. The parcel has railroad access along its western border.
The proposed project includes the relocation of an existing tidal drainage canal. The applicant proposes placement of approximately 10,180 CF (377CY) of fill in an existing tidal drainage canal. Impacts to CMPA jurisdiction total approximately 1.82 acres. The applicant proposes to construct a new drainage canal on the parcel by excavating approximately 2.78 acres of upland and 0.19 acre of freshwater wetlands.
The upland component associated with the proposed project includes the construction of a new 2.78-acre drainage canal in the upland to handle onsite stormwater and accommodate Chatham County’s contributing area of 550 acres within the reconfigured drainage basin. A two-lane vehicular road crossing over the newly constructed canal will provide ingress and egress to the site. Two (2) 60-inch CMP culverts will be installed to facilitate flow. No impacts are proposed for the remaining upland component buffer. The project plans include a vegetated 50ft. buffer along the western limits of the new drainage canal. Georgia Power holds a 100ft. wide easement adjacent to the eastern limits of the new drainage canal and the applicant cannot place any restrictions on the uses authorized in that agreement.
The applicant has stated that the upland component of the project shall be managed according to the policy, criteria, and information including technical specifications and standards in the Coastal Stormwater Supplement to the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, 1st Edition, April 2009.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the private 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 private 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 applicant’s 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 private notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Private Notices.” Please provide this office with substantive, project-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 by the close of business February 12, 2026, to Deb Barreiro via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov or Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here to view Application.
