Advisory board discusses seeking Army Corps deauthorization of federal channel to free marina expansion

Board leaders raised an Army Corps of Engineers disposition study that is reviewing federal interest in maintaining several navigation channels in Coastal Georgia and asked whether the board should pursue having the Corps deauthorize a nearby federal channel to remove future regulatory barriers to marina extension.

The Chair explained that if a channel is formally deauthorized, restoring federal authorization would require congressional action, which the Chair said could protect the board’s ability to extend or reconfigure the marina in the future. "Once it's deestablished period, the senate, or the congress, has to make that motion," the Chair said, describing deauthorization as a longer-term way to avoid future rule changes that could limit local marina work.

Members discussed that convincing the Army Corps will require a unified request backed by the city, county and the Ocean Highway and Port Authority; one member urged including Rayonier (a major landowner) and noted the effort has been discussed for years and would require considerable staff resources. Board members agreed it was worth pursuing as an ask but noted practical challenges — including coordination with the Savannah and Jacksonville Corps districts and securing partner buy-in — and said they will continue outreach rather than bringing an immediate motion.

Board members asked staff to explore the feasibility of a coordinated approach and report back; no formal motion to send an official letter was recorded during the meeting.