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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 the Mayor and the Alderman of the City of Savannah for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) Permit under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq. to construct an elevated concrete walkway and replace an existing tide gate along the Savannah River, Chatham County, Georgia.
The applicant is proposing the construction and maintenance of approximately +/-551 linear feet of elevated walkway seaward of the Marriott Hotel that will connect approximately +/- 5,000 linear feet of existing walkway west of the Marriott Hotel to approximately +/- 2,050 feet of existing elevated walkway east of the Marriot Hotel. An existing tide gate structure located west of the Marriott will also be replaced in association with this project.
As proposed, four (4) sections of pile supported concrete walkway will be constructed as part of this project. Section 1 will measure approximately 12ft. X 172ft. (2,064sq.ft. or 0.047 acre). Section 2 will measure approximately 17ft. X 115ft. (1,955sq.ft. or 0.045 acre). Section 3 will measure approximately 12ft. X 198ft. (2,376sq.ft. or 0.055 acre). Section 4 will measure approximately 12ft. X 66ft. (792sq.ft. or 0.018 acre). Total impacts associated with the proposed pile supported concrete walkway are approximately 7,187sq.ft. (0.165 acre). Replacement of the existing tide gate will not result in any additional impacts to coastal marshlands. The structure will extend approximately 66ft. into the Savannah River at a point where the river is approximately 825ft. from Mean Low Water (MLW) to MLW. As proposed, the elevated walkway will be approximately 185ft. from the federally maintained navigational channel.
The applicant has stated that the proposed project does not contain an 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 applicant’s 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, project-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 February 4, 2019 to Deb Barreiro, Department of Natural Resources, 185 Richard Davis Drive, Suite 104, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324.
Click here for the Project Application
Click here for the Project Description
Click here for the Project Drawings
