DHEC to review parkway proposal

SUMMERVILLE — A state agency will review the latest plan to fill wetlands along the proposed Berlin Myers Parkway extension after hearing public comments Wednesday.

The state Department of Transportation is asking the Department of Health and Environmental Control to approve a permit to fill about 15 acres of wetlands along the Sawmill Branch Canal, where the town maintains a walking and bike path.

Federal law allows wetlands to be filled if other wetlands are protected. To make up for filling wetlands near the canal, the DOT wants to give money to the Pigeon Pond Mitigation Bank in Berkeley County.

A number of residents and groups urged DHEC to require DOT to find a way to create new wetlands near the canal. Those groups included Drayton Hall, the Coastal Conservation League and the Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council, as well as Summerville Councilman Mike Dawson.

On the other hand, several people urged DHEC to approve the project, which has been on the drawing boards for 30 years. Those who spoke in favor of the permit included Dorchester County Transportation Authority member Robby Robbins, Dorchester County Councilman Mike Murphree, Dorchester County Planning Commission member Robert Pratt and Summerville Councilman Aaron Brown.

Dorchester County residents approved a penny sales tax increase to help pay for extending the parkway in November 2004.

This is the third mitigation plan DOT has come up with. DOT first applied for a wetlands permit in 2006. Project managers said they dropped that application after landowners wouldn't sell at the price DOT was offering.

Earlier this year, DOT applied for a permit to mitigate by giving money to Beidler Forest, which is about 30 miles from Summerville near Harleyville. Environmentalists argued that Beidler Forest is too far from the canal to help.

DHEC will take written comments on this application through May 7. Then the agency will write up a proposed decision and invite more public comment before finalizing it.

Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.