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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 SHM SYC, LLC for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify an existing marina facility located on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The existing facility, known as Savannah Yacht Center, is a superyacht refit, repair, and maintenance facility consisting of a ~460ft. graving dock, a 3,240 ton Syncrolift platform, floating docks and dry storage. There are several buildings and other amenities on the property to serve guests and crews of the vessels while work is being done. CMPA Permit #739 authorized the modification of what was previously an industrial facility. Modifications authorized by CMPA permit #739 included removal of existing structures and the construction of the Syncrolift system, dredging, bulkheads, platforms, and floating docks. The permitted modifications impacted approximately 33,779sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. CMPA permit #781 allowed for the construction of 5 SEDCON units to maintain the southern wet slip area for additional impacts of 130.6sq.ft. Currently, the existing facility impacts approximately 33,910sq.ft. (0.79 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant proposes to modify and maintain the marina by extending three floating docks, expanding the existing ship lift system, and installing two covered piers. The existing 10ft. x 300ft. (3,000sq.ft.) southernmost, floating dock will be extended by 50ft. The proposed 10ft. x 50ft. (500sq.ft.) extension will be secured with three 18in. (5sq.ft.) concrete piles. The proposed floating dock extension and piles will impact approximately 505sq.ft. There are two floating docks that are accessed by gangways from the northern side of the wet slip. The existing 9ft. x 110ft. (990sq.ft.) floating dock that extends channelward from the northern side of the wet slip will be extended by 20ft. The proposed 9ft. x 20ft. (180sq.ft.) floating dock extension will be secured by one 14in. (1sq.ft.) concrete piling. One 48in. (13sq.ft.) steel mooring pile is proposed immediately channelward of the floating dock extension and will be approximately 100ft. from the Savannah River Navigational Channel. Another 48in. (13sq.ft.) steel pipe mooring pile is proposed to be located to the north of the floating dock extension. The channelward floating dock and pilings will impact approximately 206sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The L-shaped floating dock that extends towards the upland from the northern side of the wet slip will also be extended by 50ft. The 9ft. x 50ft. (450sq.ft.) floating dock extension will be installed on the landward most portion of the existing float and secured by one 14in.(1sq.ft.)concrete pile. The proposed interior floating dock and pilings will impact approximately 451sq.ft of coastal marshlands.
The existing ship lift is located on the northern end of the property. Currently, the ship lift extends channelward and is approximately 139ft. from the navigation channel. The applicant proposes extending the ship lift system 36ft. channelward resulting in approximately 3,500sq.ft. of additional impacts. At the entrance of the ship lift there will be two 40sq.ft. pile clusters to aid vessels accessing the lift. The modified ship lift will be located approximately 105ft. from the navigation channel. The proposed ship lift extension and pile clusters will impact approximately 3,580sq.ft.
On the south side of the ship lift is an open basin area and to the north of the lift is a rock revetment protecting the property to the north. The applicant proposes constructing pile-supported covered piers over both the areas. The southern basin area will be covered by a 6,100sq.ft. pier and the northern area will be covered by a 6,000sq.ft. pier. South of the southern basin, a 48in. (13sq.ft) steel pipe pile will be installed to aid in mooring vessels to the associated floating dock. The proposed covered piers and mooring pile will impacts approximately 12,113sq.ft. Total proposed impacts resulting from the marina modification are 16,855sq.ft. (0.38 acres). Total impacts form the existing and proposed modification will total approximately 50,765sq.ft. (1.17 acres).
At its channelward most point, the modified marina will be 100ft. from the Savannah River Navigation Channel.
The applicant has stated the project has no 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 February 15, 2026 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view Application.
Click here to view Description.
