RIDGELAND -- Lowcountry legislators showed support for a Jasper County port compromise last weekend, echoing State Ports Authority member Tom Davis' assertion that a compromise should be considered.

The State Ports Authority and Jasper County have been in a legal deadlock since the state agency filed a Supreme Court lawsuit against the county in January. The suit was filed just days after Jasper County reached a $450 million development agreement with private port builder SSA Marine.

On Thursday, the Jasper County Council unanimously approved a settlement proposal to end the battle over who has the right to develop a port on the South Carolina bank of the Savannah River. Davis, a Beaufort native and the newest member of the State Ports Authority board of directors, said he favors "exploring the possibility of a compromise with Jasper County," a thought echoed by some members of the General Assembly.

Of the Charleston Delegation Republicans, Sen. Chip Campsen III, Sen. Larry Grooms, Rep. John Graham Altman III, Rep. Converse Chellis III, Rep. Ben Hagood, Rep. Chip Limehouse III, Rep. James Merrill and Rep. Annette Young showed support for Davis in interviews with The Beaufort Gazette. Democrats Sen. Ray Cleary, Sen. Clementa Pinckney, Sen. Robert Ford, Rep. Robert Brown and Rep. Vida Miller said they share the same view, meaning five of the seven senators in the Charleston Delegation and eight of the 14 representatives are interested in a compromise.

Beaufort and Jasper county politicians, including Sen. Scott Richardson, R-Hilton Head Island; Rep. Richard Chalk Jr., R-Hilton Head; Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton; Rep. Thayer Rivers, D-Jasper; and Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, also supported the plan.

"I think Tom Davis and the three or four members of the board willing to compromise are more indicative of what the state wants than the other members who are basically impeding progress," said Merrill, the House majority leader. "It's about time they step up to the plate."

In the Charleston Delegation, Sen. Glenn McConnell, Rep. Tom Dantzler, Rep. Robert Harrell Jr., all Republicans, and Democrats Rep. David Mack and Rep. Seth Whipper could not be reached for comment. Democrat Rep. Floyd Breeland and Republican Sen. Randy Scott declined comment.

Rep. Wallace Scarborough, a Republican in the Charleston Delegation, said he would consider compromises but is highly skeptical.

"I think the supreme power in all matters concerning ports in South Carolina rests with the State Ports Authority," he said.

But some lawmakers said the authority should break its hard-line stance and consider options.

"The board should without question entertain the compromise," Campsen said Friday. "Sometimes you can settle a dispute with a creative arrangement. There is no reason to not at least consider a settlement offer. A lawsuit could go on for years."

Most of the legislators agreed that the State Ports Authority should direct port operations across the state, but that Jasper County and SSA should have some role in a Savannah River port project. The compromise option has even gained momentum on the State Ports Authority board.

Jasper County and authority officials confirmed that the settlement offer was delivered Thursday, but neither group would release the document until its fate is decided.

Harry Butler, chairman of the State Ports Authority, said the compromise includes Jasper County in the cash-flow model, but the facilities and property are owned by the State Ports Authority. The model has the authority spearheading the land-condemnation effort, while the first-phase development would be completed by SSA with any additional phases decided upon by the authority.

It's almost certain that Davis or his supporters will introduce discussion on the compromise at today's 11 a.m. State Ports Authority board of directors meeting.

The State Ports Authority is seeking a private partner for its version of the Jasper County-SSA Marine development agreement. Last week it held its first round of informational meetings with ocean carriers and stevedores interested in port building.

Davis said he was not surprised by the strong legislative support for a compromise.

"Litigation is not the ideal way to settle disputes and should always be a last resort," he said, "especially when two agencies of the same state disagree."