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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 Harbor Partners, LLC 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 commercial marina facility located on Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The proposed marina site is located on the north shore of the Savannah River on Hutchinson Island. The marina will provide berthing for vessels over 250ft. in length for transient visitors and a staging area for vessels awaiting service at the Savannah Yacht Center. The proposed full service marina will provide amenities such as shore power, water, sewage pump out, internet, and in-slip fueling.
The marshlands component of the project will consist of 1,000 linear feet of shoreline stabilization with approximately 62,104sq.ft. of rip rap placed seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line, for a total of 3.6cu.yd. per linear foot. A 20ft. x 26.5ft. (262sq.ft. in jurisdiction) pile-supported concrete walkway will lead from the upland to a 6ft. x 80ft. (480sq.ft.) gangway that will provide access to a 1,110ft. x 16ft. (17,760sq.ft.) floating dock. A 10ft. x 50ft. (500sq.ft) gangway landing area will be installed on the landward side of the floating dock and will include an 8ft. x 10ft. fueling hut. There will be two (2) 8ft. x 10ft. (160sq.ft.) bump outs on the landward side of the floating dock to the east and west of the gangway access to aid in cart and equipment turning movements.
The proposed structures will extend approximately 115ft. to 130ft. into the waterway where it is approximately 760ft. wide at Mean Low Water and will be located 90ft. north of the navigation channel. Total impacts to jurisdictional coastal marshlands will total approximately 81,266sq.ft. (1.87 acres).
The upland component of the project is approximately 1,447sq.ft. and consists of a 764sq.ft. portion of a concrete walkway and proposed concrete pier and approximately 683sq.ft. of rip rap for bank stabilization. The 50ft. marshlands buffer applicable to the project is approximately 39,301sq.ft. There are no existing impervious surfaces in the buffer and will be 764sq.ft., as proposed.
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 March 6, 2023 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
Click here for Project Drawings
