WALTERBORO--Critical funding for two important Lowcountry tourist attractions has survived the state Senate's budget but could still be cut.

A $5 million project to renourish Edisto Beach and a $1.8 million interpretive center at the Great Swamp Sanctuary will, in two weeks, go before a conference committee comprising three members each of the House and the Senate.

The Edisto Beach project was passed in the Senate's budget Thursday, even though it started the week on the cutting room floor. Now the issue remaining is where the money is located in the budget. The House included it in one part while the Senate included it in another.

"Since it's in both budgets, I would expect it to make it through," said Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, chairman of the House Ways and Means committee.

Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, said it could die if legislators on the conference committee can't reach an agreement.

"It's possible it could get knocked out, but I doubt it," he said.

The beach has been whittled away by storms, and local officials are worried that if it's not renourished soon, the beach and several of the oceanfront houses will be gone.

Edisto Beach Mayor Burley Lyons said winter storms have left the beach vulnerable to whatever the hurricane season holds.

"That money is an absolute must," Lyons said.

He said he feels good about the late push to put the money back in the Senate's budget but that there's a long way to go.

"I've got fuzzy feelings somewhat, but I know it still must go through some hoops," he said.

Even if it gets past the General Assembly, the project faces a likely challenge from the governor's office. Last year, Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed a $5 million project to renourish Hunting Island. The General Assembly overrode it.

Will Folks, spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford's office, said they will ultimately have to see what comes out of the conference committee.

"Generally, the governor's office would like to see them pay down money that has been taken from the trust and reserve fund over the years before taking on any new funding," Folks said.

That stance is likely to carry over to the Great Swamp Sanctuary's proposed $1.8 million interpretive center.

The city secured 700 acres of land about 2 miles from Interstate 95 and turned it into a park and wildlife sanctuary to help attract tourists. City and environmental officials said the key to the project is the interpretive center, which would serve as a gateway to the park and other area attractions.

Donna Breece and Denise Edwards, two Colleton County School District teachers who were at the Sanctuary on Friday, said the interpretive center would be a useful learning tool, as well as a way to draw tourists.

"We could have field trips and not have to leave town," said Breece, a library media specialist at Forest Hills Elementary. "It's such an awesome thing to have in Walterboro."

Grooms was instrumental in getting the funding included on a supplemental appropriations bill in the Senate and is now seeking support from Harrell and Rep. Annette Young, R-Summerville.

"I'm pretty confident the money is going to be there," he said.

Young said she hasn't seen the Senate's bill yet but knows that it includes $20 million more in funding than the House's bill.

After hearing Grooms' appeal, she said she will do what she can.

Walterboro Mayor Harry Cone is optimistic about the interpretive center.

"I know it will go through," he said. "In my heart I feel it will. There's plenty of people fighting for money, but if people come down here and look at it, they'll understand."