Young, Butterworth, Nelson, and Rice, Construction of a Bulkhead 107, 111, 115, & 117 Tattnal Lane, Point Peter Creek, Cumberland Harbour, Camden County, Georgia

Camden County, Georgia

This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from the Applicants (collectively “William H. Young and Kathryn K. Young, Mark Butterworth and Jane Butterworth, Trustees of the Mark and Jane Butterworth Revocable Trust, Russell L. Nelson and Darien C. Nelson, Rodney A. Rice and Kimberly L Wilcox-Rice”) 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 contiguous bulkhead at 107, 111, 115, & 117 Tattnal Lane, Point Peter Creek, Cumberland Harbour, Camden County, Georgia. The proposed project is under 1/10 of an acre, and therefore may be considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.

The project site currently consists of four developed or partially developed residential lots. There is currently no bank stabilization in place and there has been active tidal erosion observed at the interface between upland and marsh.

The marshlands component of the proposed project consists of a 458 linear foot wooden bulkhead which will be constructed in coastal marshlands immediately seaward of the CMPA jurisdiction line. The bulkhead will be constructed at the rear of 107, 111, 115, & 117 Tattnal Lane in Cumberland Harbour subdivision. The portion of the proposed bulkhead associated with 107 Tattnal Lane will consist of 141 linear feet of bulkhead and will require 800.4sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 15.7 cubic yards of backfill will be located below Mean High Water (MHW). The portion of the proposed bulkhead associated with 111 Tattnal Lane will consist of 75.7 linear feet of bulkhead and will require 288.7sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 7.4 cubic yards of backfill will be located below MHW. The portion of the proposed bulkhead associated with 115 Tattnal Lane will consist of 158.6 linear feet of bulkhead and will require 537.7sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 18.4 cubic yards of backfill will be located below MHW. The portion of the proposed bulkhead associated with 117 Tattnal Lane will consist of 82.7 linear feet of bulkhead and will require 162.8sq.ft. of backfill. Approximately 1.5 cubic yards of backfill will be located below MHW. The filled coastal marshlands will be stabilized with native, salt tolerant grasses. 

As proposed the project will impact approximately 1,789 square feet (0.04 acres) of coastal marshlands. 

The upland component of the project consists of all existing, permanent, and temporary activities taking place within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 23,867sq.ft. for all 4 addresses. Existing structures within the 50 ft. marshlands buffer of 107 Tattnal Lane include a 10sq.ft. wooden dock walkway. Existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer of 111 Tattnal Lane include a 99sq.ft. wooden dock walkway and a 137sq.ft. concrete walkway. Existing structures within the 50 ft. marshlands buffer of 115 Tattnal Lane include a 78sq.ft. wooden dock walkway and a 212sq.ft. brick walkway. There are no existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer of 117 Tattnal Lane. Existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer for the entire project area totals 536sq.ft. Currently, approximately 1.5% of the 50ft. marshlands buffer is impervious. The permanent impacts associated with the proposed bulkhead will be 4.7sq.ft. for 6 tieback anchor pilings and 436.8sq.ft. for 42 tie back cables/rods (442sq.ft.). Temporary construction impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer will include approximately 8,548sq.ft. corridor along the bank for equipment operations. After construction of the proposed bulkhead, the site will be stabilized with native vegetation as part of landscaped residential lawns. 

Total permanent impacts within the 50ft. marshlands buffer total 442sq.ft. which will remain 1.5% impervious upon project completion. 

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 March 2, 2024 to Paul Tobler, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at paul.tobler@dnr.ga.gov.

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