PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR COASTAL WETLANDS PERMIT AND WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has filed an application with the Department of Marine Resources requesting permission to conduct regulated activities under the provision of the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act, Title 49, Chapter 27, Mississippi Code of 1972. MDEQ is proposing to impact 17 acres of unvegetated Coastal Wetlands in the form of breakwater structures for creation of a living shoreline within St. Louis Bay, Diamondhead, Hancock County, MS. The breakwater structures will either be composed of riprap armor stone and/or bioengineered materials. Elevations of the structures should not exceed 2.7 ft NAVD88. The applicant is requesting a variance to 22 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 23 (MS Coastal Program), Rule 8.15.A which states, "Permanent filling of coastal wetlands below the OHWM is not authorized." The applicant justifies this request under Rule 8.19.A by stating the impacts on Coastal Wetlands would be no worse than if the requirements were followed because the filling of Coastal Wetlands is being conducted to support ecological restoration, which will provide a net positive environmental impact. The applicant is also requesting a Use Plan change for the proposed project area from General Use (G) District to a Special Use (S) District, specifically S-6 for restoration and enhancement areas. MDEQ justifies this request under 22 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 23 (MS Coastal Program) Rule 7.3.B, by stating that there is a significant public benefit in the activity; impacts to public access and adverse environmental impacts have been minimized; the general public and governmental entities were notified of the project; and a public hearing will be held. This public notice, project diagrams, and a copy of the full project application may be accessed on MDMR's website at. https://dmr.ms.gov/permitting/. A copy can also be mailed upon request. In compliance with Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251, 1341), as amended by PL 95-217, the applicant will request certification from the Office of Pollution Control that the above mentioned activity will be in compliance with applicable provisions of Section 301 (33 U.S.C. 1311), Section 302 (33 U.S.C. 1312), Section 303 (U.S.C. 1313), Section 306 (U.S.C. 1316), and Section 307 (U.S.C. 1317) of the Act and appropriate requirements of the State Law. A public hearing will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in the Board Meeting Room of the Hancock County Government Annex located at 854 Highway 90, Suite A, Bay St. Louis, MS, 39520. The public hearing will not be a question-and-answer session but will be a medium for concerned parties to make comments about the proposed project for the public record. Any person wishing to make comments or objections to the proposed regulated activity must submit those comments in writing to the Department of Marine Resources by mail to 1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530; by fax to 228-374-5008; or by email to katie.nelson@dmr.ms.gov before 1:00 p.m. on the day February 25, 2026. IPL0311680 Feb 8,15,22 2026