By Matt Tomsic
mtomsic@scbiznews.com
Published Aug. 16, 2012

The Savannah River Maritime Commission pulled itself from one of its handful of lawsuits Wednesday, voting to accept a memorandum of understanding between itself and the South Carolina members of a project office dedicated to developing a bistate port in Jasper County.

Previous coverage Savannah River Maritime Commission files injunction against Jasper port project

The maritime commission and South Carolina members of the Joint Project Office agreed to consult each other for matters involving the maritime commission’s jurisdiction, which includes dredging, navigability and other issues pertaining to the Savannah River. The maritime commission will issue positions and provide voting guidance for the South Carolina members.

During the Joint Project Office’s June meeting, board member David Posek said the maritime commission had asked the board to postpone the meeting because of a jurisdictional issue: The maritime commission argues state law gives it jurisdiction over the Savannah River and the body should be involved in decisions affecting the river, where the Jasper Ocean Terminal would be located. Posek is also a board member of the S.C. State Ports Authority.

The June 21 injunction ordered South Carolina board members not to call votes, not to cast votes, not to express opinions and not to agree to bind the state of South Carolina.

The injunction further ordered that South Carolina members abstain from votes unless they received permission from the maritime commission. The injunction was to be effective until Oct. 1.

Wednesday’s vote removes the injunction and lawsuit.