Gov. Haley’s staff testifying on dredging permit

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Two members of Gov. Nikki Haley’s staff have told senators her office did not pressure board members of the state’s environmental agency to approve a permit allowing Georgia to expand the Savannah port.

Senators are questioning Haley’s staff Thursday about the agency’s unexpected decision last month to approve an agreement on a water quality permit sought by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Haley’s liaison to state boards, Ted Pitts, confirmed Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal asked Haley for the board to hear an appeal off the staff’s initial denial of the request. But Pitts says that came up at the end of a meeting unrelated to the port project.

Chief of Staff Tim Pearson says Haley asked the board chairman to hear the case but did not ask for approval.