An official website of the State of Georgia.
This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to modify an existing boat ramp and construct and maintain a service dock located on the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia. The project is less than 1/10 of an acre and is considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The applicant is proposing improvements to the existing facility on the Savannah River that currently includes a curbed 10.5ft. x 113ft. boat ramp (1,186.5sq.ft.) and associated bank stabilization (1,077sq.ft.). Additional existing impacts include a 50ft. x 30ft. (1,500sq.ft.) armored shoreline that will be maintained in its current footprint. Impacts to coastal marshlands for the existing boat ramp and bank stabilization total approximately 3763.5sq.ft. (0.086 acre).
A new 15ft. x 149ft. (2,235sq.ft.) boat ramp is proposed to replace the existing boat ramp to accommodate larger USCG vessels. A proposed apron of riprap (1,430sq.ft.) will be placed along the perimeter of the improved boat ramp. Combined, the new boat ramp and associated rip rap apron will result in approximately 3,665sq.ft. (0.084 acre) of impacts to coastal marshlands.
To service the boat ramp, the applicant proposes to construct a new service dock east of the improved boat ramp. The service dock includes a 6ft. x 6ft. concrete abutment (36sq.ft.) with a 14ft. x 6ft. (84sq.ft.) access walkway leading to a 102ft. x 5ft. (510sq.ft.) pile supported walkway. A 4ft. x 26ft. (104sq.ft.) gangway will provide access to a 12ft. x 40ft. (480sq.ft.) floating dock. Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the proposed service dock are approximately 1,214sq.ft. The service dock will be used exclusively by USCG. To avoid conflict with container ships or navigation in the federal channel, no overnight mooring will be allowed at the floating dock. The dock will have water and electricity. No fuel or pumpout facilities are proposed.
The proposed structures will extend approximately 110ft. into the Savannah River at a point where it is 2,042ft. wide at Mean Low Water (MLW). The seaward face of the proposed service dock will be no closer than 325ft. from the federal channel. As proposed, the improved boat ramp, bank stabilization, and service dock will result in new impacts of approximately 2,615.5sq.ft. (0.060 acre). Total impacts to coastal marshlands for existing and proposed structures totals 6,379sq.ft. (0.146 acre).
The applicant has stated that the upland component of the project area totals 750sq.ft. (0.017 acre) and consists of grassed lawn and 157sq.ft. (0.0036 acre) of existing concrete boat ramp. Improvements to the boat ramp will result in new impacts of approximately 160sq.ft. (0.0037 acres). Total impacts to the marshlands buffer for the existing and proposed project are approximately 317sq.ft. (0.0073 acre).
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 October 21, 2023 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov.
Click Here to View Application
