COLUMBIA, S.C. - The State Ports Authority has hired two of the most influential lobbyists in the Statehouse to turn back Jasper County's efforts to develop a privately built and operated port on the Savannah River.

The agency said it is paying Fred Allen and Dan Jones, who represent big corporate interests in the Statehouse, to argue against Jasper County's plans to team with SSA Marine Inc. for the new port the State Ports Authority now wants to build and run.

"It's odd that a state agency has to hire lobbyists to work with the Legislature that created it," Jasper County's Administrator Andrew Fulghum said.

State Ports Authority Chairman Bill Stern said Allen and Jones are needed because during the past couple of years it has been very difficult for board members "to respond to the inaccurate information being spread by the other side."

Hiring Allen and Jones will "help us get the accurate information out to our elected officials,' Stern said.

The agency has been using board members and its internal lobbyist to counter Jasper County's efforts. SSA has been making its case with four lobbyists: Robert Adams, Ronald Fulmer, Laddie Howard and John C. West Jr.

Seattle-based SSA Marine did not immediately respond Friday to an interview request by phone.

Gov. Mark Sanford has complained for years about state agencies hiring taxpayer-paid lobbyists asking legislators for more taxpayer money and banned their use by Cabinet agencies. The State Ports Authority, whose nine-member board is appointed by Sanford, complied with that, Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said.

"Ideally, we wouldn't want any state agencies to be hiring lobbyists," Sawyer said. "This is not the kind of contract lobbying arrangement we have traditionally opposed."

Stern said Allen and Jones won't seek extra money for the Ports Authority and will handle only Jasper port issues.

The Ports Authority "must feel the Legislature needs some serious persuasion," said state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, a Ridgeland Democrat pushing the Jasper-SSA project.

"We'll be up for a fight," Pinckney said.

Jasper County has pursued the project for a decade land the Georgia Ports Authority owns. Georgia wants to use the site for material dredged from the Savannah River around its port.

Now Jasper County and the South Carolina agency are fighting each other and Georgia in court to condemn the land. Stern and Fulghum expect rulings on aspects of that case before year's end.

While the condemnation arguments play out, the State Ports Authority has concentrated on a port expansion project under way in North Charleston.

Agency spokesman Byron Miller said the final environmental impact statement on building at the old Navy base in North Charleston is expected next week and that a permit decision could be made by April. Then the port would begin spending more than $180 million to prepare the site. The first phase's total cost is about $600 million, Miller said.