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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 community dock facility located on Post Office 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 community dock facility consists of 6ft. x 170ft. walkway leading from the upland to a 3ft x 30ft. gangway. The gangway provides access to an 8ft. x 80ft. floating dock. North of the existing floating dock is a foul weather service dock for the Sapelo Island ferry. The existing foul weather service dock will be removed along with associated pilings. The existing community dock extends approximately 41ft. into the waterway at a location where the waterway is approximately 170ft. wide at mean low water (MLW), and impacts approximately 1,750 sq.ft. (0.04 acres) of coastal marshlands.
The applicant proposes to extend the existing 6ft. wide walkway 60ft. seaward and relocate the 8ft. x 80ft. floating dock channelward. The 3ft. x 30ft. gangway will be relocated to the terminus of the proposed walkway for access to the relocated floating dock. The applicant proposes to add a 4ft. x 20ft. gangway that will extend north from the floating dock to access a new 8ft. x 50ft. concrete ferry dock to provide enhanced foul weather mooring. Two timber pile dolphins will be located to the north and the south of the proposed concrete ferry dock. Each dolphin will impact approximately 15sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The proposed floating dock will extend approximately 44ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is 170ft. wide at MLW. The proposed concrete ferry dock will extend approximately 54ft. into the waterway at a point where the waterway is 160ft. wide at MLW. The proposed modifications will impact an additional 870sq.ft. of coastal marshlands. The total impacts to coastal marshlands for the proposed modified dock facility will be 2,620 sq.ft. (0.06 acres).
The applicant has stated there is no upland component associated with the proposed activities.
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 24, 2022 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.
