Town Hall to Discuss Potential Dock Standards

Brunswick, Ga.
Coastal docks.

The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public town hall to share information and gather input on potential new rules for private recreational dock construction in coastal Georgia.

The Dock Town Hall will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at the Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center at DNR’s Coastal Regional Headquarters, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520.

CRD has overseen the construction of private recreational docks in coastal Georgia since 1996. While the agency has long reviewed and authorized these structures, no formal rules currently exist specifically governing their design or placement within Georgia’s coastal marshlands.

In January 2024, CRD informed the Board of Natural Resources of its intent to pursue rulemaking that would codify the criteria used to approve the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of private recreational docks. To support this effort, CRD assembled a Stakeholder Committee in July 2024, following a public call for participation. The committee included a diverse mix of coastal property owners, conservation groups, dock engineers, marine contractors, and representatives from state and federal agencies.

The committee met through January 2025, reviewing proposed criteria, consulting with subject-matter experts, and ultimately developing a series of recommendations for CRD’s consideration.

At the upcoming Dock Town Hall, CRD will present these recommendations, answer questions from the public, and invite feedback as the agency prepares to draft formal rules for consideration by the Board of Natural Resources.

For more information about the town hall or CRD’s efforts related to dock rulemaking, contact CRD at 912-264-7218.

Media Contact

Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division
912-230-9709
tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov

Additional Resources