Georgia Resources

Shore Protection Law

Marshland Protection Law

Shore and Marshland Rules

Maps and Data

Ecoregional Assessment for Carolinian Marine Ecoregion

The Nature Conservancy's Georgia Chapter

State Agency Contact Database

Georgia Summary

The Ocean and Coast

Georgia has approximately 100 miles of ocean-front and 700,000 acres of marine and tidally-influenced submerged lands. Tides reach far up coastal rivers across the coastal plain. Georgia’s coast is relatively undeveloped. Uplands are often managed for timber harvest, and Georgia’s barrier islands are not easily accessible.

Conservation Leasing and Ownership

As of June 2007, The Nature Conservancy had not undertaken formal law, policy, or spatial data assessments regarding options for private conservation of submerged lands and related resources in Georgia. As such, we do not have a clear picture of what is legally possible, nor do we have a clear understanding of the ownership and leasing patterns across the coastal landscape and seascape. At this time, organizations wishing to pursue leasing or ownership of lands or resources lying below the high tide line should undertake site-specific assessments or work with state agency staff to evaluate opportunities statewide. Initial discussions with state agency staff who are responsible for submerged lands management (see below) revealed interest in exploring the concept of conservation leasing.

Whether organizations pursue leasing or ownership opportunities, several local, state, and federal authorizations may be required to undertake conservation activities on submerged lands in Georgia. The information that follows provides context for and information regarding possible authorization needs.

Submerged Lands

Georgia’s coastal submerged lands extend from the ordinary high water mark to three nautical miles offshore. These saltwater bottoms are managed through the Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division. Projects over state-owned water bottoms may require either a revocable license or, for marinas, a lease. A small number of leases are also used for oyster-related projects. Permits may be required under the Shore Protection Act (affecting sand dunes, beaches, bars and shoals) and the Coastal Marshland Protection Act (all vegetated salt marsh, intertidal and tidal water bottoms). A 25’ buffer is managed according to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act through the Environmental Protection Division. 

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Management Program - Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Tel: 912-264-7218
Fax: 912-262-3143
Email web form: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/supportemail.asp

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Watershed Protection Branch - Environmental Protection Division
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354
Tel: 404-675-6232
Fax: 404-675-6247
Email web form: http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/epdforms_wpb.html

Coastal Management and Shoreline Development

Georgia’s coastal zone includes eleven counties on the coastal plain. The Coastal Management Program, administered by the DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, monitors coastal water quality, implements the National Shellfish Sanitation Program for Georgia, provides public education, technical assistance and grants to local governments, conducts federal consistency reviews, administers permitting programs under the Shore Protection Act and Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, reviews 401 Water Quality Certification, leases and licenses submerged lands, and administers the Coastal Nonpoint Source Program.

GDNR - Coastal Management Program (see contact information above)

Water Quality

Most of Georgia’s water quality programs (including regulation of discharges and withdrawals, erosion and sediment, non-point sources, and stormwater) are administered by the Watershed Protection Branch of the Department of Natural Resources’ Environmental Protection Division.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Watershed Protection Branch - Environmental Protection Division
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354-3902
Tel: 404-675-6232
Fax: 404-675-6247

The Coastal Resources Division administers a number of coastal water quality efforts. These include participation in the National Coastal Assessment Program (2000-2006), nutrient monitoring in Georgia’s coastal rivers and bays, research on beach water quality, and monitoring water quality for shellfish harvest areas.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Tel: 912-264-7218
Fax: 912-262-3143
Email web form: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/supportemail.asp

Fish and Wildlife and Aquaculture

The Wildlife Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources regulates fish, wildlife and aquaculture.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Aquaculture & Fishing - Wildlife Resources Division
Aquatic Education/Aquaculture
2123 U.S. Hwy. 278, S.E.
Social Circle, GA  30025
Tel: 770-918-6418

However, the Coastal Resources Division regulates commercial and recreational saltwater fishing.

GDNR - Coastal Resources Division (see contact information above)

Beaches

Projects affecting beaches and other elements of the sand sharing system (bars, shoals, and dunes) are regulated under the Shore Protection Act. Beach water quality is tracked by the Coastal Resources Division’s Beach Monitoring Program, with cooperation with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health.

Department of Natural Resources
Beach Monitoring Program - Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Tel: 912-264-7218
Fax: 912-262-3143
Email web form: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/supportemail.asp