Any person who causes or permits any removal, filling, dredging, or draining or other alteration of marshlands in this state within the estuarine area thereof without first obtaining a permit from the committee shall be liable in damages to the state and any political subdivision thereof for any and all actual or projected costs, expenses, and injuries occasioned by such alteration of the marshlands. The amount of damages assessed pursuant to this Code section shall include, but shall not be limited to, any actual or projected costs and expenses incurred by the state or any political subdivision thereof in restoring as nearly as possible the natural movement of the waters in the marshlands and replacing the vegetation and aquatic life destroyed by any alteration of marshlands. Damages to the state shall be recoverable in a civil action instituted by the department and shall be paid to the department to cover the cost of restoration. Damages to a political subdivision shall be recoverable in a civil action instituted by said subdivision.