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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 Vaden Enterprises, L.L.L.P. for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct a residential driveway within CMPA jurisdictional at 113 Meriweather Drive, Dutch Island, 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 proposed project is to construct a driveway to provide access to a single-family residential lot. As platted, Parcel 2 (134,594sq.ft. / 3.09 acre) is bisected by CMPA jurisdictional wetlands into two separate upland areas that includes a total of 1.37 acres of CMPA jurisdictional wetlands, 0.15 acre of non-tidal freshwater wetlands, and 1.57 acres of upland. A 30’ Access & Utility Easement from Meriweather Drive provides vehicular access to the southern portion of Parcel 2. To provide vehicular access to the northern portion of the residential parcel, the applicant proposes filling approximately 577sq.ft. (0.013 acre) of CMPA jurisdictional wetlands to install two (2) 15” reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) culverts to facilitate flow in the adjacent marshes. This includes approximately 3cy of rip rap to be placed at the terminal ends of the RCP culvert outfalls. Total impacts to CMPA jurisdiction for the proposed project are 577sq.ft. (0.013acre).
The upland component of the proposed project includes all temporary and permanent activities for the project. All upland component activities will occur in the 50ft. marshlands buffer. The 50ft. marshlands buffer associated with Parcel 2 totals 15,054sq.ft. (0.35 acre). Approximately 41% of the CMPA buffer (6,116sq.ft. / 0.14 acre) will be impacted by clearing and grading for the driveway corridor. Fill and a pervious surface associated with the proposed driveway will permanently impact approximately 27% of the CMPA buffer (4,090sq.ft. / 0.09 acre). Installation of driveway shoulder/slopes, that will be planted with native vegetation, will impact 14% of the 50ft. marshlands buffer (2,026sq.ft. / 0.05 acre). As proposed, approximately 54% of the CMPA buffer (8,142sq.ft. / 0.019 acre) will be permanently impacted by the construction of the proposed driveway.
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 August 16, 2024 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources,
One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520 or via email at deb.barreiro@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.
Click here to view description.
Click here to view photos.
