PROJECT NAME AND STATE:  Noyes Cut, GA

AUTHORIZATION:  Section 1135, WRDA 1986 (P.L. 99-662), as amended.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION:  Ecosystem Restoration.  Noyes Cut is located in Camden County, Georgia and the nearest major city is Brunswick, GA.  The US Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District (Savannah District) constructed Noyes Cut as a side channel to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in 1932.  The cut has altered the ebb tide on Dover Creek, causing the siltation of the creek and thus blocking access to the creek's freshwater reaches for migratory fish, crabs and shrimp.  Portions of the creek that were once 100 yards wide have now narrowed to ten (10) yards, and the inland reaches of Dover Creek and adjacent Umbrella Creek go dry at low tide.  The siltation has also blocked creek access to commercial fisherman who earn their livelihood harvesting seafood from these waters.  The impacts of Noyes Cut are compounded by land use changes in the larger Satilla River watershed that have resulted in chronic low flows and with naturally low oxygen levels in the river.  These conditions have driven migratory fish from the river's main stream, making restoration of the river's tidal creeks all the more important for a healthy fishery in the river's estuary which expands across 10,000 acres of Georgia's coast.  

ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR FY2019:   Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (EA) / Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) completed. 

SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES FOR FY2020:  Execute a Project Partnership Agreement to design and implementation phase.

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION:  The Savannah District received approval execute a FONSI in conjunction with the approved Feasibility Report in January 2019. The non-Federal Sponsor is currently seeking funding and/or deviations from the model Project Partnership Agreement. The estimated cost of design and construction including the adaptive management plan is $7,605,000 of which the non-Federal Sponsor would be responsible for 25% of that amount ($1,901,250).

MILESTONES:

ADMINISTRATION POSITION:  This project is consistent with Administration policy.

ACTION OFFICER:  Margarett (Mackie) McIntosh                                  11 June 2019

                                      CESAS/912-652-5320