Lowcountry Economic Network - Beaufort, South Carolina

Benchmarks Set for Jasper Ocean Terminal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 29, 2009

Garden City, Ga. – The Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project Office (JPO) Board of Directors today approved an amendment to the agreement between Georgia and South Carolina, establishing benchmarks for the project.

“This action will help to ensure that the Jasper Ocean Terminal development proceeds in an orderly and timely manner,” said William L. Bethea Jr., chairman of the JPO. “The next major step is to develop the Interstate Compact language for introduction in the next session.”

The amendment was first approved by the Boards of both the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) on Friday and the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) today. In addition to clarifying language from the original agreement signed in January 2008, the amendment lays out a schedule for next steps, such as finalizing a Dredged Materials Management Plan to remove the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers easement on the site.

The JPO also approved goals and objectives for the project at today's meeting, establishing a framework for the group’s work.

The JPO was formed by the SCSPA, the GPA and the Georgia Department of Transportation to initiate and advance work on the Jasper Ocean Terminal project. Its work will eventually result in an Interstate Compact for consideration by both states’ General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. The Interstate Compact will cover the financing and operation of the project, as well as other issues.

The agreement initiated a number of specific steps. A year ago, the GPA and the SCSPA completed the joint acquisition of 1,518 acres of land. Last October, the JPO hired the engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol to provide program management services, including preliminary terminal planning, economic analyses, market studies, and dredged material management and infrastructure planning. This work is well underway.