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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. Simons Land Trust, Inc. 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 recreational dock facility on Musgrove Creek, St. Simons Island, Glynn 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 project site is located on Guale Preserve, a 58-acre Conservation Easement that is intended for habitat conservation and recreation. The water dependent structures on the property consist of a boat ramp and an unserviceable dock facility that will be removed prior to construction. The applicant proposes to construct a 6ft. x 32ft. (192sq.ft) walkway with railings extending from the upland to a 13ft. x 30ft. (390sq.ft.) T-head fixed platform with railings. The dock will be located approximately 150ft. from the existing boat ramp and will extend 4ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is 50ft. wide at low tide. All work will be completed from the water using a barge, crane, and piledriver. As proposed the project will impact approximately 582sq.ft. (0.013 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The existing upland component consists of an existing 4,824sq.ft. pervious parking area. The proposed modifications to the upland component consist of adding a 5ft. x 6ft. (30sq.ft.) concrete pad for access to the wooden walkway, a pervious walking path leading from the parking area to the dock facility, and temporary storage of remnants from the previously existing dock. The concrete pad, walking path, and temporary storage of dock remnants will be located within the 50-foot marshlands buffer. The remnants from the unserviceable dock will be disposed of at an appropriate upland facility.
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 “Marsh & Shore Permits”.
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 September 12, 2020 to Sam LaBarba, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
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