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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 Yacht Club, Inc. (SYC) for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) Permit under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et seq. to dredge and conduct maintenance dredging at an existing private marina facility that fronts both Wilmington River and Long Field Creek, and an adjacent residential community on Tom Thumb Creek, Whitemarsh Island, Chatham County, Georgia.
The existing private marina facility dates back to the 1950s. It fronts Wilmington River and Longfield Creek. Permitted structures at the SYC include the existing docks on Wilmington River (16,455sq.ft.) and Longfield Creek (32,222sq.ft.). There is an existing bulkhead (423 Linear Feet) on Wilmington River and an existing bulkhead (924 Linear Feet) on Longfield Creek. A 6-ton hoist, service docks, and 30ft. x 16ft. ship store with fuel, pump-out, restrooms, and sundries is located on Longfield Creek. Total mooring space on the Wilmington River facility is +/-4,600 linear feet. Total mooring space on the Longfield Creek facility is +/-2,800 linear feet. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 members and the club maintains a two year wait list for new members. All docks on Longfield Creek, and the inner 2 fingers on the Wilmington River are reserved for use by SYC members. The outer docks on the Wilmington River are reserved for day use by SYC members.
In addition to permitted modifications to the existing SYC facilities, there is history of dredging that includes CMPA Permit #62 (issued 1976 for 19,700cy), CMPA Permit #310 (issued 1996 for 30,000cy), CMPA Permit #506 (issued 2005 for 12,500cy), and CMPA Permit #712 (issued 2015 for 43,000cy).
The current application proposes to dredge a total of 39,040cy of sediment at three locations. The Wilmington River location and the Longfield Creek location are associated with Savannah Yacht Club. As a cost sharing effort, the 19 residents of Tom Thumb Creek are also participating in the proposed dredging project. A dedicated Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) owned by Savannah Yacht Club is located adjacent to the facility on Longfield Creek. The capacity of the CDA is approximately 96,000cy. The project area on the Wilmington River proposes the removal of 4,765cys of sediment. The current bottom elevation varies from -4ft. to -10ft. The target elevation on Wilmington River is -12ft. The project area on Longfield Creek proposes the removal of 28,320cy of sediment. The current bottom elevation varies from -4ft. to -10ft. The target elevation on Longfield Creek is -12ft. The project area on Tom Thumb Creek proposes the removal of 5,955cy of sediment. The current bottom elevation varies from -3ft. to -8ft. The target elevation of Tom Thumb Creek is -8ft. The footprint, as depicted in the proposed dredging plans, will also include a 2:1 slope around the outer dredge limits. The applicant has provided bathymetric data collected in 2024. All dredging would occur via an 8-inch hydraulic cutterhead dredge, with the material being transported via a submerged pipeline to the active CDF owned and operated by Savannah Yacht Club. No effluent discharge from the CDF is anticipated as a result of this project.
Additionally, the applicant is proposing five (5) additional future maintenance dredging events over a 5-year dredging project life. Each dredge project will include the removal of no more than 5,000cyds of sediment within the project location and will use the same design and techniques as the initial dredge event. This will afford the applicant flexibility to conduct future maintenance dredging events at the point of necessity by initiating a dredging event at the first signs of potential property damage (floating docks) or loss of revenue due to navigability issues.
The proposed facility is considered a marina in accordance with O.C.G.A. 391-2-3-.03 “Regulation of Marinas, Community Docks and Commercial Docks.”
The upland component associated with the proposed project is the 9.3 acres CDF. There is no proposed land disturbance or grading activity withing the CDF.
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 October 31, 2025 to Deb Barreiro deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov or Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
Click here to view Application.
