Legislative panel gives go-ahead to Charleston Harbor plan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A legislative panel has approved the State Ports Authority’s plan for deepening the Charleston Harbor shipping channel, allowing the agency to use the $307 million set aside for the project.

The Joint Bond Review Committee voted 8-1 Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler said he can’t support the $5 million being spent on land conservation and $125,000 going to the South Carolina Aquarium. The Gaffney Republican says paying the “ransom” to conservation groups sets a precedent that South Carolina is “soft” and will pay upfront.

But ports President Jim Newsome called the agreement a pragmatic move that spends just 1 percent of the project’s total cost to avoid a much more expensive lawsuit and years-long delay.

Newsome says the entire project should be completed late 2019.