Impact of deepening Charleston Harbor
The South Carolina State Ports Authority will spend $5 million to help protect the Cooper River area to help minimize the environmental impact of deepening Charleston Harbor.
The ports authority told local media outlets Monday the money will be used to buy and preserve land in cooperation with the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, the Coastal Conservation League and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
The money comes from funds the General Assembly has set aside for the harbor project. The proposal still needs approval from the Joint Bond Review Committee.
The preservation effort is in addition to any wetlands protection that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers might require as part of the harbor deepening.
The corps is expected to complete its environmental review of the project later this year.