Compromise reached on Ga. dredging permit

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An attorney for South Carolina’s environmental agency says a compromise has been reached with the Army Corps of Engineers over a permit to dredge the Savannah River.

Department of Health and Environmental Control attorney John Harleston told the agency’s board Thursday that a compromise was reached minutes earlier. He gave no details. The board immediately went into executive session to discuss the Southern Environmental Law Center’s request that three environmental groups be allowed to intervene.

The Coastal Conservation League, state Wildlife Federation and Savannah Riverkeeper agrees with the staff’s permit denial. It was unclear how a compromise would affect their request to join with DHEC.

The Army Corps is seeking a water quality permit that would allow the deepening of 35 miles to the port of Savannah, Ga.