The State Ports Authority has greatly improved the prospects for a port on the Savannah River with its decision to assume the lead role in its development. The SPA's action should expedite the development process and puts the full weight of the state behind the project. Welcome economic development in Jasper County and a good site for future port expansion should be the results.

Jasper County officials have long sought to advance a port plan for a site owned by the state of Georgia, used for disposal of dredged material from the Savannah River to the port of Savannah. But the county's initial efforts to condemn the property to allow a private port operator to develop the site were thwarted by the S.C. Supreme Court. The court ruled that the county couldn't seize land on behalf of a private company.

Jasper County has continued to try to find a way around the impasse, and remains committed to port development. While county officials may chafe at the SPA's previous delay on the port proposal, they should recognize that the state agency provides the best avenue to achieve that end. The SPA is better situated, for example, to deal with its counterpart in Georgia to reach an accommodation on the port proposal and Georgia's need for a spoil site.

Meanwhile, the SPA is wisely seeking a declaratory judgment from the state Supreme Court to remove any question of whether the state agency -- created to develop ports in various locations, including the Savannah River -- takes precedence over that of the new county authority. While SPA officials make it clear they are interested in partners from the private sector, they contend a public agency should actually operate the port, which they note wouldn't be the case under the Jasper proposal.

SPA officials say the site offers needed room for growth, but won't interfere with the commitment to port expansion on the Navy Base. While the Navy Base will provide some badly needed breathing room for the SPA at its most important port, the Jasper County site is viewed as important to serve the growing Asian market.

The State Ports Authority was created by the Legislature to guide port operations and development. The success of the Charleston port, particularly its container operations, has demonstrated the agency's leadership and oversight abilities. A port in Jasper County, downstream from the successful port of Savannah, and near its shipping channel, should provide the state's waterfront enterprises a new place to grow.