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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 Savannah Bulk Terminal, L.L.C. for a modification to Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit #765 under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to install a breasting dolphin at Savannah Bulk Terminal, located on the Savannah 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.
CMPA Permit #765 authorized a silt suspension system at Savannah Bulk Terminal and East Coast Terminal as an alternative to maintenance dredging and provides the ability to maintain proper depths for the deep draft berths at the facilities. The authorized silt suspension system consists of a total of nine (9) SEDCON units placed approximately 162ft. to 237ft. apart at Berth 2 and Berth 4. Each individual unit with mounting equipment impacts approximately 33sq.ft. of tidal water bottoms. Total impacts for all nine (9) SEDCON units is 297sq.ft. Six of the units are installed on 360sq.ft. support platforms totaling 2,160sq.ft. Accessing the support platforms are nine (9) 3ft. wide catwalks totaling 175ft. linear feet. Total impacts associated with the nine (9) catwalks is 525sq.ft. The SEDCON units, platforms, and catwalks require forty-five (45) 24in. diameter steel pipe piles totaling 90sqft. of impacts. Total authorized impacts to coastal marshlands authorized by CMPA Permit #765 are approximately 3,072 square feet (0.07-acres).
The proposed modification will maintain the integrity of the existing dock and provide necessary structural support for berthing and material loading operations which occur daily within the Savannah Bulk Terminal facility. The modification of CMPA Permit #765 includes the construction of a 23.5ft. x 28ft. (658 sq.ft.) breasting dolphin that will be constructed between the two eastern most SEDCON units at Berth 2. The center line of the proposed breasting dolphin will be 84ft. to the west of the eastern most SEDCON unit at Berth 2. The breasting dolphin will be located along the existing wharf line, 120ft. south of the Savannah River Navigation Channel at a point where the river is approximately 1,040ft. wide at Mean Low Water. The concrete breasting dolphin will be supported by nine (9) 18in. vertical concrete pilings and ten (10) 18in. battered concrete pilings. The breasting dolphin will support a fender system and bollard for mooring. Access to the proposed breasting dolphin will require the removal and replacement of a 3ft. x 12ft (36 sq.ft.) and a 3ft. x 51ft. (153 sq.ft.) catwalk. Total impacts associated with the two (2) catwalks will be 189 sq.ft. Total impacts associated with the proposed modification will be 847 sq.ft. (0.02 acres). Total impacts of the modified CMPA permit will be 3,919sq.ft. (0.09 acres).
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 September 4, 2021 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
