This serves as notification from the Shore Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Jekyll Island State Park Authority (JIA) for a Shore Protection Act (SPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-230 et. seq., for Phase 2 of the Shoreline Rehabilitation to include limited debris removal, sand placement, dune construction, construction of a rock revetment return, installation of a Geotextile Tube, and construction of public access paths and crossovers on Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia.

The Department issued a Letter of Permission for Phase 1 of the applicant’s Shoreline Rehabilitation. The authorization included a stretch of approximately 9,800 linear ft. from about King Avenue to just north of the Villas by the Sea.  Activities within jurisdiction included maintenance to the existing revetment and restoration to return the revetment cross-section to the original design and crest elevation.  Maintenance work includes both the repositioning of existing rock that was displaced by recent storms and the addition of new material within the general footprint.  The authorized work continues to be conducted with an anticipated completion in December 2018. 

The proposed Phase 2 Shoreline Rehabilitation consists of approximately 16,000 ft. along the Jekyll Island oceanfront.  The southern project limits are approximately 2,000 ft. south of Captain Wylly Road.  The northern project limit is the Driftwood Beach Access Trail. The project is divided into two sections, the southern ~15,000 ft. area and the northern ~1,000 ft. located just north of the rehabilitated rock revetment (“transitional shoreline”).  Proposed activities include the limited removal of debris, sand placement, dune construction, construction of a rock revetment return, installation of a Geotextile Tube, and construction of public access paths and crossovers.

Limited Removal of Debris

To insure adequate and efficient placement of sand fill material, the applicant is proposing to remove downed and dead trees, limbs, vegetation, and other natural debris.  The focus will be on areas landward of the rehabilitated rock revetment.  The large dead trees along the transitional shoreline (northern section of the project area) are considered, by the applicant, to be important to public recreation, local culture, and island history.  The large trees in this area are proposed to be left in place, to the extent practical.  A representative from the JIA Conservation Office will guide and observe this effort.  Debris removal will utilize typical earthmoving equipment capable of selectively removing debris.

Sand Placement

The applicant is proposing to fill areas landward of the rehabilitated rock revetment with beach compatible sand taken from sources approved by the Department and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE).

Prior to filling the area landward of the rehabilitated rock revetment, the applicant will install a geotextile filter material on the landward side of the revetment.  The filter material will allow upland runoff/groundwater and overtopping during extreme events to flow through, while retaining the proposed sand materials landward of the revetment. The filter material will extend down the landward slope of the rehabilitated revetment from +8 ft. NAVD to the base of the existing rock and then extend approximately 5 ft. landward on existing grade and then will be buried by the proposed sand.   

Along the southern section of the proposed project area, sand will be placed to restore the terrace berm and dune areas that have been lost to recent erosion. The proposed terrace berm will be constructed with a mild crest slope to mimic typical existing profiles, with elevations up to +9.5 ft. NAVD88 at the landward end of the revetment and sloping up to approximately +10.0 ft. NAVD88 at the landward limit, to tie into the upland topography along the existing scarp line. Any slopes necessary to meet adjacent interface grades will be at 1V:3H or flatter.

The temporary/emergency sand bags placed at Villas by the Sea and The Cottages at Jekyll Island are proposed to remain in place and be buried under the beach fill as a “backstop” level of protection for extreme storm events in the future.  Sand will be placed using trucks or conveyors.

Along the northern ~1,000 ft. of the proposed project area, a limited scale sand placement is proposed to replace eroded upper berm material to help offset the historical erosion along the shoreline and provide a more appropriate transition from the large rehabilitated rock revetment shoreline to the south and the natural Driftwood Beach shoreline area existing over 1 mile to the north.  The fill will generally be placed landward and directly on top of the existing scatter rocks in the area, with a 1V:10H foreshore slope to mimic typical profiles.  The berm crest elevation will match the existing upland topography of approximately +7.0 ft. NAVD88.  The berm and fill toe will extend across the existing rock to a point near Mean Low Low Water (MLLW), this being the practical limit for land-based beach fill projects.

Dune Construction

The applicant is proposing to construct a dune along the length of the restored terrace berm in areas that have undergone extensive erosion and vegetation losses.  Activities include construction of the dune, planting of dune vegetation, installation of post-rope railing, and sand fencing. 

The proposed dune will be constructed, as project beach compatible materials quantities will allow, to add approximately a 2 ft. tall dune (above the constructed terrace berm), with a typical 10 ft. crest width and maximum side slopes of 1V:2H to provide additional storm protection and dune habitat. The proposed dune (and approximately 50% of the width of the terrace berm, north of Albright Lane and up to approximately 90-100% of the width of the terrace berm south of Albright Lane) will be planted with approved early succession dune vegetation to mimic natural, existing vegetation in the area.  Initial planting of the new dune area would likely include:  Sea Oats (Uniola paniculate), Bitter panicum (Panicum amarum), Salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), and Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia).  After these plants become fully established, the applicant may plant additional larger species in future growing seasons, including, but not limited to, Silverleaf croton (Croton punctatus), Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), Saw palmetto (Sereno repens), Tough bully (Brumelia tenax) and Sand Live Oak (Quercus geminata).  Specific planting types and spacing will be coordinated closely with the applicant and the Department. 

The applicant is proposing to install post-rope railing to delineate the vegetated areas and discourage foot traffic into the revegetated berm and dune area.  In addition, sand fencing is proposed along the landward limit of the fill/vegetated area to help minimize sand loss to landward areas of the residential properties and assist in containing the sand project area. The applicant is requesting that sand fencing placed landward of the rehabilitated rock revetment be installed in a manner not specifically outlined in the Department’s Sand Fencing Guidelines. 

Rock Revetment Return

Along the northern portion of the project (where the Phase 1 rehabilitated rock revetment terminates), the applicant proposes the construction of a rock revetment return.  The return would be constructed of similar armor stone used in Phase 1.  Return sections of coastal structures are a critical component to ensure the integrity of the structure is not compromised due to water and wave energy coming around the back of the structure leading to erosion, scouring, and instability.   The proposed rock revetment return is designed in accordance with the USACE’s Coastal Engineering Manual to provide protection under a range of extreme storm conditions.  The portion of the return section not lying over exiting rock, will be underlain with geotextile composite or a similar marine foundation to reduce potential for settlement over time, as well as, limit ground disturbance. 

Geotextile Tube

Along the northern portion of the project area (north of the rehabilitated rock revetment), the applicant is proposing to install a sand filled geotextile tube product along the existing erosional scarp line.  The tube will be 22.5 ft. in circumference or smaller and will be buried by the proposed beach fill described above.  It will be installed approximately where the proposed rock revetment return section meets the upland/scarp line and extend north to the approximate terminus of the project area.  This protection measure will provide additional erosion protection for the end of the return section, as well as, the upland areas.  

Typically, geotextile tubes are required to be filled with wet sand slurry.  The applicant has proposed to fill the tube by mixing the upland imported fill material with a small hopper pump placed offshore.  The small pump will include a float to ensure it remains off the sea bottom, and guards/grills to ensure no marine life is affected by the pump.  As the tube is filled, the clear excess water exits the tube through the geotextile perforations and drains onto the beach and back to the ocean. 

Public Access Paths and Crossovers

At available locations, dune paths and/or wooden dune crossovers are proposed to provide public access to both the proposed upper terrace area, as well as, the low water beach seaward of the rock revetment.  New crossover structures are proposed at the following street end locations:  Barron, Bliss, Nelson, Tyler, Porter, Ellis, Albright, Stewart, Austin, Gould, and at the proposed rock revetment return.  The applicant is proposing crosswalks to be 6 ft. wide with a 15 ft. x 15 ft. overlook.  All new crosswalks will be constructed approximately 36 in. above the proposed dune and terrace sand area.  All existing crossovers will remain. 

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.

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 October 27, 2018 to Josh Noble, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Georgia 31520.

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