Camden County, GA Stormwater Regulations

Camden County is not MS4 designated, but state NPDES permits from GA EPD apply to projects disturbing one acre or more. The county's coastal location within the GA DNR Coastal Management Program Area adds permitting layers. The City of St. Marys and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base are key development areas. GA EPD penalties reach $50,000 per day.

Primary source: Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Watershed Protection Branch

Permit Requirements

Despite lacking MS4 designation, Camden County is subject to Georgia's state stormwater permitting requirements. GA EPD requires NPDES General Permit coverage (GAR100002) for any land disturbance of one acre or more. Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act (O.C.G.A. 12-7) mandates that all permitted sites have erosion and sediment control plans prepared by registered design professionals.

Georgia's GSWCC certification requirements apply in Camden County. Construction sites must have Level II Certified Personnel responsible for installing and maintaining erosion controls, and Level IB Certified Inspectors conducting the required inspections.

Camden County's coastal location adds requirements through the GA DNR Coastal Management Program Area. Projects near tidal marshes along the St. Marys River and Satilla River may need Coastal Marshlands Permits. The county's proximity to the Florida border means development along the St. Marys River, which forms the state line, involves interstate water quality considerations.

Inspection Obligations

Under the NPDES General Permit, construction sites must be inspected every seven calendar days and within 24 hours of rainfall events producing 0.5 inches or more. Inspections must be performed by GSWCC Level IB Certified Inspectors and documented on approved forms.

Without a formal MS4 program, Camden County doesn't have a structured post-construction BMP inspection program. However, properties that received permits with maintenance agreements are still obligated to maintain their stormwater facilities. GA EPD can inspect any permitted facility at any time.

Development associated with Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base may be subject to federal stormwater requirements through the Department of Defense. Military installation projects follow federal NPDES permit requirements, which may differ from state construction general permit procedures.

Penalty Structure

GA EPD can impose civil penalties up to $50,000 per day per violation under the Georgia Water Quality Control Act. State enforcement covers unpermitted land disturbance, erosion control failures, and illegal discharges to state waters, including the St. Marys River and its tributaries.

Camden County enforces its local soil erosion ordinance through notices of violation, stop-work orders, and permit revocation. The county can deny future permits to projects with unresolved violations and withhold certificates of occupancy.

GA DNR's Coastal Resources Division can enforce violations of the Marshlands Protection Act and Shore Protection Act separately from GA EPD stormwater enforcement. Unauthorized work in coastal marshes can result in mandatory restoration orders and additional fines.

Key BMPs

• Wet detention ponds - Used in residential subdivisions and commercial projects around St. Marys and Kingsland. Must meet Georgia Stormwater Management Manual standards.
• Vegetated swales - Common for roadway drainage and lower-density development. Effective in Camden County's sandy soils.
• Riparian buffers - Critical along the St. Marys River, Satilla River, and their tributaries. Georgia's 25-foot state buffer requirement applies, with wider buffers near coastal waters.
• Constructed wetlands - Well-suited to the coastal plain's hydrology. Provide water quality treatment while complementing the natural landscape.
• Infiltration practices - Camden County's sandy soils support infiltration-based BMPs in upland areas away from the water table. Not appropriate in low-lying coastal areas with saturated soils.

Local Ordinances

Camden County's soil erosion and sedimentation control ordinance implements Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Act at the local level. The ordinance requires land disturbance permits, erosion control plans, and GSWCC-certified personnel for permitted construction sites.

The City of St. Marys and City of Kingsland have their own development regulations that include stormwater management provisions. Projects within these municipal limits should verify local requirements with the respective city.

Camden County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Significant portions of the county, particularly along the St. Marys River and coast, fall within FEMA flood zones. Development in these areas must comply with floodplain management regulations that affect stormwater system design and placement.