The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) proposed the construction of two new container berths upstream of the existing container terminal in Garden City Georgia. ATM assisted GPA with the planning and permitting of this effort. Services included baseline hydrodynamic and sedimentation studies in support of a numerical model that was used to establish the best berth alignment to reduce future sedimentation along the berth faces. Additionally, ATM assisted GPA in obtaining environmental permits to dredge the existing berths to proposed depth so that construction may begin on the facilities. Besides typical agency coordination and negotiations, ATM collected sediment and water samples in accordance with the Savannah District Corps' Scope of Work and prepared a comprehensive evaluation that permitted the placement of this material in two open water areas in the Savannah Wildlife Refuge: New Cut and Onslow Slot.

Additionally, in compliance with the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA), ATM performed an environmental assessment (EA) on potential impacts resulting from the construction and operation of this new container berth. The EA included wetlands, threatened and endangered (T&E) species of flora and fauna, shoreline marshlands, fisheries, noise, health and safety, water quality, flooding and other sensitive features. ATM performed a census of nesting wading birds in a rookery identified on site and developed a mitigation plan to allow construction during non-nesting season. ATM worked closely with the wildlife agencies for the State of Georgia, including the GDNR, USFWS, NMRS, USEPA and the USACE.