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This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Whimbrel, LLC for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et seq. for modification of an existing wooden crosswalk within the State’s SPA jurisdiction on Little St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia. The proposed project is considered a minor activity under O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 et. seq.
SPA Permit #208 was issued in 1991 and authorized the placement of a gazebo. SPA Permit #419 was issued February 15, 2013, and authorized modification of the existing gazebo and construction of a 6ft. x 600ft. dune crosswalk. A Letter of Permission was issued October 1, 2019, for a 235ft. extension to the seaward terminus of the crosswalk in response to sand dune accretion.
The existing 4ft. x 650ft. (2,600sq.ft.) crosswalk begins at a gazebo on the upland and extends seaward with only a portion of the crosswalk in SPA jurisdiction. The area within jurisdiction consists of vegetated dynamic dune field and a 4ft. x 179ft. (716sq.ft.) wooden crosswalk.
Due to a continued trend of accretion in this area and development of a perennial tidal pond, the applicant proposes to relocate the terminal end of the existing crosswalk by angling a 4ft. x 52ft. section of the current terminal end to the northeast and extending the crosswalk by 333 linear feet. The total proposed crosswalk extension including relocation of the existing terminal end would be 4ft. x 385ft. (1,540sq.ft.) and be raised 36in. above the sand throughout its length. There will be no handrails on the crosswalk. The new terminal end of the proposed crosswalk will consist of a ramp leading to the beach, terminating perpendicular to the shoreline, seaward of the existing dunes and landward of the Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM). Total impacts within SPA jurisdiction of the existing and proposed crosswalk will be approximately 2,048sq.ft.
All work within jurisdiction will be accomplished using low impact hand tools.
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. In passing upon the application for permit, the permit issuing authority shall consider the public interest which for purposes of this part shall be deemed to be the following considerations: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful, increased alteration of the dynamic dune field or submerged lands, or function of the sand-sharing system will be created; (2) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of marine life, wildlife, or other resources; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicant's proposal will unreasonably interfere with reasonable access by and recreational use and enjoyment of public properties impacted by the project.
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 July 17, 2022 to Beth Byrnes, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at elizabeth.byrnes@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here for Project Description
