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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 SKM Heritage Holdings, 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 the existing commercial dock facility located on the Darien River, McIntosh 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.
The existing commercial dock consists of a 1,094sq.ft. irregular covered platform (994sq.ft. in CMPA jurisdiction) that extends from the upland to access a 725sq.ft. fixed wharf. Currently, the facility serves as mooring for commercial fishing vessels. Existing impacts to coastal marshlands total approximately 1,719sq.ft. (0.04 acres).
The applicant proposes to reconfigure the existing commercial dock facility and construct a bulkhead. The existing fixed wharf will be removed and the existing covered platform will be repaired in the same footprint by replacing pilings, decking, and the covering. A new 6ft. x 26ft. (156sq.ft.) fixed walkway will be constructed directly channelward from the repaired platform. Approximately halfway down the walkway, a 4ft. x 24ft. (96sq.ft.) gangway will extend to the east to access a proposed 8ft. x 105ft. (840sq.ft.) floating dock. A 4ft. x 30ft. (120sq.ft.) ramp will extend channelward from the terminus of the fixed walkway to access a proposed 10ft. x 17.6ft. (176sq.ft.) floating ramp landing and an 8ft. x 117ft. (936sq.ft.) floating dock. The ramp landing will be attached to the floating dock by two 1.5ft. x 1.5ft. (2.25sq.ft.) triangular connectors. The proposed modified commercial dock facility will impact approximately 3,320.3sq.ft. (0.08 acres) of coastal marshlands. The proposed bulkhead will be constructed along the bank of the upland parcel using heavy equipment from the upland. The proposed bulkhead will be approximately 152ft. long x 1ft. wide (152sq.ft.) and will closely follow the CMPA line except for one area where following the CMPA line would compromise the structural integrity of the bulkhead. Approximately 28sq.ft. (3.17cu.yds.) of fill will be needed in the area where the bulkhead will be significantly seaward of the CMPA line. The proposed bulkhead will impact approximately 180sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The proposed modification of the commercial dock and construction of the bulkhead will impact a total of 3,500sq.ft. (0.08 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component for the proposed project consists of the entire 9,475 sq.ft. (0.22 acres) upland parcel. The existing upland component consists of two 1,204sq.ft. buildings, 1,050sq.ft. of concrete surface, 100sq.ft. of the covered platform, and a 179sq.ft. fuel tank for a total of 3,737sq.ft. of existing impacts. The 50ft. marshlands buffer totals 6,283sq.ft. of which 1946.6sq.ft. is currently impacted. The proposed permanent impacts to the upland component will consist of increasing the size of the covered platform to 1,250sq.ft., expanding one of the buildings to 1,644sq.ft., and the construction of a 3,250sq.ft. pervious gravel parking area. The proposed permanent structures will impact approximately 3,242.3sq.ft. of the 50ft. marshlands buffer. Temporary impacts to the upland component include material storage and heavy equipment operation. These temporary activities will impact the entire upland component.
Currently the 50ft. marshlands buffer consists of 30% impervious surfaces and will be 27% impervious once construction is complete.
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 16, 2024 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
