Associated Press

COLUMBIA — A Sumter legislator has filed a bill that would block any state funds from being used on a proposed Lake Marion bridge project pushed by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.

State Rep. Murrell Smith's legislation adds to a simmering dispute between Clyburn and Republican Gov. Mark Sanford who said the bridge would destroy pristine swampland.

Clyburn disagrees the bridge would harm the environment and says the connector is necessary to stimulate economic development in the area.

The connector is planned as a nine-mile, two-lane road, including a 2.8-mile bridge over the northern portion of Lake Marion, that would connect Rimini and Lone Star.

The road, once estimated to cost about $75 million for nine miles, now has an estimated price tag of $100 million.

Clyburn has been working to get federal funds for the project.

But the federal funds would have to go through the state Department of Transportation, and that's where Smith is seeking to block the project.

The legislation says that "no state highway funds or other state funds, regardless of source," can be used on the project.

"I've always been opposed to this and there's always been talk among people that maybe the state should stand up and say something about this," Smith said.

The Republican said he expects mixed reactions to the bill, but he believes the issue deserves to be debated.

"That kind of thing is always disappointing, but it's not near as disappointing as what I see when I visit the homes over there and the schools over there," Clyburn said.

"I have a vision of this connector spurring all kinds of opportunities in ecotourism, all kinds of opportunities in economics, all kinds of opportunities in conference centers and resorts," he said.

As for the environmental concerns, he said, "people can say what they want to say. That doesn't make it true."

The governor paddled through Sparkleberry Swamp on May 1 to highlight his opposition to the bridge plan.

Clyburn countered that an environmental impact study has shown the bridge wouldn't have an adverse effect on the swamp.

"My environmental record is better than all these people talking about the environment," he said.