Rule 391-4-5-.16. Criteria for Selecting Among Competing Applicants

If two or more applicants otherwise meeting the requirements of this chapter desire to conduct marine events on the same body of water during the same period of time, and if the Commissioner determines that in his best judgment a particular body of water has the natural resource capacity to support only one marine event during a given period of time, he may determine that one exclusive marine event permit is in the best interest of the public. In such an instance, the Commissioner shall issue a permit to one of the applicants after carefully evaluating all applications on the basis of the following additional considerations:

1. (a) the past experience of the applicant in conducting marine events or other similar activities in a manner consistent with the protection of public safety and of natural resources;
2. (b) the balance of public costs associated with conducting each applicant's proposed marine event, i.e. public safety, environmental degradation, and the financial and manpower burden of public agencies, as compared with the public recreational benefits likely to result from each applicant's proposed marine event.

Authority: Ga. L. 1937, p. 264, as amended; Ga. L. 1973, p. 1427, as amended.

History. Original Rule entitled "Criteria for Selecting Among Competing Applicants" was filed on December 12, 1979; effective January 1, 1980.

Amended: Filed January 30, 1981; effective February 19, 1981.