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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 St. Marys Property 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 and maintain an existing private marina on the St. Marys River, Camden County, Georgia.
The existing private marina was previously authorized by CMPA Permit #462. The marina was damaged during Hurricane Irma and has since been partially repaired. The applicant proposes to modify and maintain a marina similar to the previously permitted facility. The existing facility consists of a 7ft. x 512ft. (3,584sq.ft.) walkway with a 14ft. x 14ft. covered deck (additional 98sq.ft.) and a 7ft. x 18ft. covered area totaling approximately 3,682sq.ft. The walkway terminates at a 6ft. x 87ft. (522sq.ft.) fixed walkway that runs parallel to the St. Marys River. Landward of the terminal end of the walkway is a 3ft. x 26ft. (78sq.ft.) gangway that extends to the west and accesses a 10ft. x 50ft. (500sq.ft.) floating dock. Extending from the eastern end of the terminal fixed walkway is a 4ft. x 40ft. (160sq.ft.) gangway that accesses a 10ft. x 200ft. (2,000sq.ft.) floating dock. Extending from the western end of the fixed walkway is a 4ft. x 40ft. gangway that accesses a 10ft. x 60ft. floating dock. The existing marina impacts approximately 7,720sq.ft. (0.18 acres) of coastal marshlands. The existing marina extends 282ft. into the waterway at a location where it is 1,431ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW).
The applicant proposes to modify and maintain a private marina. The two channelward most floating docks (2,600sq.ft.) will be removed. The existing fixed walkway and all existing structures landward of the terminal fixed walkway will remain in place. The eastern gangway will be replaced with a new 4ft. x 40ft. gangway (160sq.ft.) to access a proposed 12ft. x 201ft. (2,412sq.ft.) floating dock. The western gangway will be replaced with a new 4ft. x 40ft. (160sq.ft.) gangway to access a proposed 10ft. x 390ft. (3,900sq.ft.) floating dock. A new 10ft. x 135ft. (1,350sq.ft.) floating dock will extend channelward to connect to a new 12ft. x 381ft. (4,572sq.ft.) floating dock. The two connected floating docks will run parallel on the western side of the terminal walkway. The landward most floating dock will have twelve 5ft. x 31ft. (1,860sq.ft.) fingers extending landward and ten 5ft. x 41ft. (2,050sq.ft.) fingers extending seaward. The proposed dock facility will extend approximately 431ft. into the waterway where it is 1,571ft. wide at MLW. The proposed footprint of the modified private marina facility will be approximately 21,470sq.ft. (0.49 acres) with new impacts to coastal marshlands totaling 13,750sq.ft. (0.32 acres).
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 April 15, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.
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