Corps of Engineers reverses SC wetlands decision

CHARLESTON — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reversed an earlier finding and concluded that about 32 acres of wetlands in Horry County should be protected under the federal Clean Water Act.

Several years ago the corps ruled the land near the intersection of U.S. 17 and the U.S. 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet was a so-called isolated wetland and could be developed by a company for a retail complex.

But the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Coastal Conservation League, the state and national wildlife federations and Waccamaw Riverkeeper sued in federal court.

The corps then restudied the area and earlier this month filed a determination in federal court in Charleston that the area should be protected.