Legislative attempts to improve Jasper County's chances of developing a deep-water port, and thus the county's economy, may have a negative effect on Port Royal resident's attempts to improve their community by getting rid of a port. Unless senators can find a way around the roadblock, it may kill for this year attempts to shutter operations at the Port of Port Royal.
Sen. Clementa Pinckney's proposed amendment to the Senate's port-closing bill would restrict the ability of the State Ports Authority to condemn land. The Jasper County senator's amendment may be an attempt to protect his county's plans for a $450 million port. The year got underway with rumors that the State Ports Authority was contemplating condemnation of 1,776-acre site on the Savannah River, which is the site of Jasper's proposed joint port, which would be developed by SSA Marine. The authority's chief executive, Bernard Groseclose, said in January they were "continuing to consider new terminal developments on the Jasper site." Nothing definite the statement was an indication that SPA commissioners had discussed the issue.
Still the proposed amendment threatens the attempt to close Port Royal facilities because it is an attempt to force the governor and other lawmakers into accepting a plan that would be hard to support.
Pinckney's proposal isn't the first to ride the coattail of the port-closing legislation. An Horry County Democrat advocated nose-thumbing legislation in response to Gov. Mark Sanford and his predecessor, Gov. Jim Hodges, removing so many members from the boards of the State Ports Authority and Santee Cooper, a hydroelectric generating, water treatment and water navigation authority.
Sanford threatened to veto the bill and it was changed. Since both of the measures deal with the ports authority, one may say the amendments aren't bobtailing, a habit that the S.C. Supreme Court has agreed to review. Regardless, the amendment could have the same effect on Port Royal.
A port in Jasper County would be a great financial boon for Jasper County residents, especially students who attend a school district that needs more money to improve educational outcomes. However, these elements should be separated. Lawmakers need to find a way to separate these two elements; one should not jeopardize the other.