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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 Savannah State University for a modification to Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit #721 under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., that authorized the construction of an educational dock facility associated with the Savannah State University Marine Science Facility located on the Country Club Creek, 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.
CMPA Permit #721, issued June 24, 2016, authorized construction of a Marine Science Research Facility on Country Club Creek. The marsh component consisted of a 6ft. 3in. x 774ft. walkway with four (4) 5ft. x 11ft. 1in. bumpouts leading to a 20ft. x 35ft. fixed deck with an 8ft. x 10ft. bumpout on the right landward side of the fixed deck to be used for covered storage, and a 6ft. x 6ft. bumpout extending seaward on the right side of the fixed deck. From the 6ft. x 6ft. bumpout, a 4ft. x 80ft. (320 sq. ft.) gangway was to extend left and connect to a 6ft. x 13ft. gangway landing float that connected to an 8ft. x 75ft. float parallel to the fixed deck. The proposed construction of the entire research facility impacted approximately 7,278 sq. ft. (0.16 acres) of jurisdictional coastal marshlands. The upland component consisted of an approximately 22,500 sq. ft. area with an 8ft. x 150ft. cement walkway with a 24ft. x 24ft. concrete pad at the interface leading to the dock walkway and facility.
On November 15, 2017, the applicant requested that the entire marsh component be built 8ft. further to the west (landward) than originally approved by CMPA Permit #721. In response to the request, the Department issued a Letter of Acknowledgment (LOA), dated December 6, 2017, stating there was no objection to an 8ft. decrease in the fixed walkway and an 8ft. shift to the west (landward) in the entire structure. The permitted walkway and fixed deck has been constructed. Recently, the permittee found that the relocation of the floating dock as presented in the November 15, 2017 request would not provide sufficient draft for the University’s research vessel at Mean Low Water (MLW).
As a result, the applicant proposes to add an additional 96 square feet to the originally permitted 816 square foot fixed deck. This addition will be on the seaward side of the fixed deck to act as a platform for the gangway to maintain the originally permitted position of the float in Country Club Creek. As proposed the modification will impact approximately 96 square feet (0.02 acres) of coastal marshlands. The proposed modification has no upland component.
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.
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 by the close of business on April 4, 2018 to Paul Tobler, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31250.
Click here for the Project Application
Click here for the Project Description
