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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 State of Georgia: Department of Natural Resources as Custodian 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 the Dean Creek Nature Trail located on Dean Creek in 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 nature trail is a pedestrian use trail that provides an alternative route to access Nannygoat Beach. The trail currently consists of an existing earthen causeway and pedestrian trails (2,889sq.ft.) with 2 boardwalks over small tidal tributaries (90sq.ft.), a wooden boardwalk that traverses coastal marshlands (480sq.ft.), an observation platform (225sq.ft.), gangways (120sq.ft.) and a bridge (570sq.ft) that traverses Dean Creek. The existing trail impacts approximately 3,804sq.ft. (0.09 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The proposed improvements to the nature trail consist of the removal of an a 6ft x 460ft. section of the earthen causeway to an elevation of approximately 2ft. NAVD88 similar to the coastal marshlands on each side of the causeway. This will result in approximately 467.7cu.yds. of soil being removed and disposed of in an approved upland disposal area. The area will be replanted and monitored for success of tidal connectivity and vegetation repopulation. The causeway will be replaced by a 6ft. x 488ft. (2,928sq.ft.) horseshoe shaped wooden, pile supported walkway located south of the existing causeway that will terminate on the eastern end with 6ft. x 5.6ft (33.6sq.ft.) stairs to lead down to the existing trail elevation. At the midway portion of the proposed walkway the applicant proposes to relocate a 16ft. x 16ft. (256sq.ft.) two story observation platform. The upper level will be accessed by 165sq.ft. staircase. On each side of the Dean Creek bridge, two 6ft. x 12ft. (144sq.ft.) timber gangway approaches are proposed for safer access to the existing bridge. A 60sq.ft. portion of the existing westernmost boardwalk and a 30sq.ft. portion of the existing smaller boardwalk on the west side of the walkway will be replaced in the same footprint. A portion of the proposed boardwalk on the eastern side of the bridge will impact 102sq.ft. of coastal marshlands along with a 39sq.ft. section of the relocated portion of the soft surface trail. The proposed improvements to the nature trail will impact approximately 3,757.6sq.ft. (0.086 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant has stated the upland component of the property consists of the 50ft. marshlands buffer within the project area and totals 2,400sq.ft. (0.06 acres). The existing structures within the marshlands buffer consist of a 570sq.ft. portion of the existing westernmost boardwalk, a 78sq.ft. portion of the smaller existing boardwalk on the west side of the walkway, and a 195sq.ft. portion of the soft surface trail. The existing structures within the upland component total 843sq.ft. Proposed permanent structures within the upland component include rebuilt portions of the existing western boardwalks (648sq.ft.), a 192sq.ft. portion of the pile supported walkway, a 42sq.ft portion of the proposed boardwalk on the eastern side of the bridge and a 300sq.ft. section of the relocated portion of the soft surface trail. The proposed structures within the upland component will total 1,182sq.ft. Temporary impacts within the marshlands buffer will include construction activities and material staging.
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 21, 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
