Savannah River dredging controversy widens

In the latest conflict over plans to deepen the Savannah River, South Carolina members of a bi-state panel that was created to build a new port on the river, in Jasper County, were prevented from taking any action at a meeting today in Georgia.

Members of the panel known as the Joint Project Office board were blocked from voting by a temporary injunction secured by South Carolina's Savannah River Maritime Commission, which claims authority over all matters related to dredging and navigation on the river.

The Maritime Commission, whose members included powerful state lawmakers, previously challenged actions by South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control, which issued a permit needed by the Georgia Ports Authority for a plan to deepen the Savannah River.

A state Supreme Court ruling is pending in that case, and two additional legal disputes are pending in administrative law court.

David Posek, one of South Carolina's three Joint Project Office board members, said they hope to reach an understanding with the Maritime Commission spelling out which group has authority over what issues.

Read more in Tuesday's editions of The Post and Courier.