This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service – Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 bank stabilization project for erosion control at Plum Orchard, Brickhill River, Camden County, Georgia.

The project site consists of the Plum Orchard Mansion, a dock, and additional support structures. The mansion and associated structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The ~1200 linear feet of shoreline associated with the Plum Orchard property is located on the outside bend of the Brickhill River and is naturally susceptible to tidal erosion and severe weather events. There is a 170ft. wooden bulkhead and approximately 200ft. of rip rap to the north of the existing dock and is a factor in accelerating the erosion rates on the adjacent shorelines to the north and south. The shoreline has minimal vegetation and has experienced undercutting in recent years. The applicant proposes to construct a 650 linear foot bank stabilization project that includes placement of 460cu.yds. of fill material within CMPA jurisdiction.

The marshlands component of the proposed project is divided into two sections, north and south. The two sections are separated by the existing bulkhead and rip rap. The southern section will be comprised of two different bank stabilization treatments. The first treatment will be installed at the upper end of the tidal extent and will consist of 300 tons of rip rap. The rip rap will be installed over a layer of geotextile fabric and impact approximately 3,716sq.ft. (214.3cu.yds.) over 225 linear feet of the southern shoreline. Below the rip rap treatment, 185 linear feet of bagged oyster shell will be placed at 0ft. Mean Sea Level (MSL). Fill will be added to the area of the shoreline between the oyster bags and rip rap to create a livable landscape. The livable landscape area will be planted with 425 Spartina alterniflora sprigs on 4ft. centers. The bagged oyster shells and livable landscape will impact approximately 555sq.ft. (54.7cu.yds).

The northern section will be comprised of surge stone, fill, and plantings. The proposed surge stone treatment will extend from 0ft. MSL to Mean High Water (MHW) and vary in width from 12ft.-25ft. Approximately 500 tons of surge stone will be placed on top of fill to create a 5/6:1 slope below MHW. The stone will have 6-8in. of soil placed on top to create an area to plant. Proposed plantings include 600 Spartina alterniflora sprigs planted on 4ft. centers in the intertidal zone. Further up the slope, 120 Wax Myrtle cuttings will be planted and at the highest elevations of the surge stone treatment, Southern Bayberry will be planted. The proposed surge stone treatment will impact approximately 10,000sq.ft. (400cu.yds.) over 425 linear feet.

Total impacts to coastal marshlands for the proposed project are 14,271sq.ft. (0.33 acres) and will include 1,128.7cu.yds. of fill.

The upland component of the project consists of a 34,000sq.ft. upland area adjacent to the marshlands component landward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. All proposed activities will occur within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. The activities within the upland component will consist of temporary impacts during construction of the marshlands component for access and material storage.

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 September 8, 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.

Click here to view description.

Click here to view drawings.

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