Dredging dilemma creates economic concern for S.C.

Concerned that Georgia's gain could come at South Carolina's expense, the group that represents the Palmetto State's Savannah River port interests voted Thursday to seek outside help.

Deepening the river, jointly owned by Georgia and South Carolina, would benefit the planned bi-state shipping terminal in Jasper County. But some contend that until that facility is built, deeper waters could mean expanding business at Georgia's existing facilities.

And that, in turn, could diminish the need for the Jasper Ocean Terminal.

The Savannah River Maritime Commission, established by the S.C. General Assembly in 2007, gave the go-ahead for its chairman to find a consultant to guide the group on how to weigh in on the dredging discussions.

S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, said the Georgia Ports Authority's Garden City Terminal already competes with the S.C. State Ports Authority and could become more formidable after dredging.

"If the water is deepened at Garden City, and Garden City has the capability to expand and for other sites to expand, you might not be able to ever economically justify building the Jasper terminal," Grooms said.

A consultant to the commission would consider both business and environmental implications of changes in the Savannah River.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to produce a draft report on river deepening by year's end.

A port reform bill that passed the S.C. General Assembly in June requires that Georgia and South Carolina begin the legislative process to approve a compact for the Jasper terminal in January.

Jonathon Thomas, deputy project manager with consulting firm Moffat & Nichol, updated the commission Thursday on the facility, which would open no earlier than 2020.

Thomas said the terminal would be capable of handling about 7 million 20-foot containers each year and that 25 percent of that cargo would travel in and out by train.

Thomas said at the meeting that part of his company's job is to keep both states from getting into a "black hole" financially because of the project.

Reach Allyson Bird at 937-5594 or abird@postand courier.com.