Republicans and Democrats alike are assailing Gov. Nikki Haley’s betrayal of South Carolina’s economic and environmental interests – and demanding an investigation into pressure her administration allegedly brought to bear on the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
On Thursday, the SCDHEC board approved the state of Georgia’s application for a $600 million dredging project on the Savannah River – reversing a decision made by the agency just six weeks earlier. The project would enable the Port of Savannah to handle larger container ships, enhancing its competitive advantage at the expense of the Port of Charleston, which has seen its competitive position plummet in recent years.
More importantly, the decision likely amounts to a death knell for a proposed Jasper County port – effectively granting South Carolina’s seal of approval to Georgia’s plan to stab our state in the back regarding the development of this deep water port.
“The State of South Carolina has lost a great deal of the leverage it had,” said S.C. Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort). “It was entirely possible, even likely, that a comprehensive agreement could have been reached between the two states not only in regard to (Savannah’s port expansion) and the development of the Jasper port site, but also in regard to other areas of interest concerning the Savannah River.”
That’s putting it nicely …
Haley flat out sold South Carolina down the river – a decision that could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue over the coming decade.
The decision by Haley’s appointees prompted S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) to demand an investigation into the source of the political pressure applied to the agency – while one Democratic State Senator took things a step further and demanded the resignations of each member of the SCDHEC board.
“(Thursday’s) decision by the DHEC board is a disaster for our state’s environment and our future economic growth,” said S.C. Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Camden). “Selling out on protection of our sensitive natural habitats and our own economy is a blunder that will cost us dearly in jobs and natural resources. The DHEC Board members should resign immediately.”
Both South Carolina and Georgia are competing to land additional container traffic – particularly from larger ships that are being built in anticipation of an expansion of the Panama Canal.
“Governor Haley and her team have launched a direct assault on the Port of Charleston, the jobs it creates, and the families those jobs support,” S.C. Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston) said. “The people of South Carolina deserve an answer from the Governor for this outrageous act of betrayal – because ultimately the buck stops with her.”
Republican House members joined Stavrinakis in assailing Haley.
“Governor Haley apparently needs to be reminded that her job is to protect the interests of South Carolinians, not to do ‘what’s best for the region,’” said S.C. Rep. Kevin Ryan (R-Georgetown). “The DHEC board members, all Haley appointees, need to explain why they made the unanimous decision to give Georgia an upper hand in port competitiveness. DHEC staff’s original decision to deny permits based on environmental concerns should not be set aside due to political considerations. The people of South Carolina deserve better.”
So … why did Haley intervene in the SCDHEC process?
According to our sources, monied Georgia interests with connections to the Port of Savannah threw a big fundraiser for Haley in Atlanta last month. Also, our sources say that the chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority – a major GOP donor who will select speakers for next year’s Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida – has been negotiating with Haley and her political consultant to land the governor a coveted prime time speaking gig at the event.
Neither Haley nor Lerner returned messages seeking comment regarding those allegations. A spokesman for the Georgia Ports Authority was not immediately available for comment.
Shortly after her 2010 election, Haley instigated a major spat with Georgia – sending a clear warning across the Savannah River regarding port-related issues.
“You now have a governor who does not like to lose,” Haley told a cheering crowd of S.C. State Ports Authority supporters in Charleston. “Georgia has had their way with us for way too long, and I don’t have the patience to let it happen anymore.”
Last month, though – right around the time that Georgia donors allegedly began stroking checks to her campaign – Haley’s tune began to change.
***
By rwwllms November 11, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hang the treasonous bitch!
By cash November 11, 2011 at 10:42 am
For sale, just like a cheap whore on Two Notch Rd.
By vicupstate November 11, 2011 at 10:44 am
What do McConnell, Harrell and Leatherman (the REAL power in the state) have to say about all this?
By losingfaithrapidly November 11, 2011 at 10:46 am
If the FOIA’s prove what we all think they will prove…she should be thrown UNDER that 18wheeler….no questions asked. This is an outrage to every citizen of SC and should not be swept under the rug.
By W November 11, 2011 at 10:55 am
Shocker. The bitch has no moral or ethical compass. She’s a one-termer and she knows it. Like the pirates say…”take what you can, give nothing back.”
What a dumb fucking bitch.
By Ima November 11, 2011 at 10:56 am
Most of the media in the estate seem to have little interest in the story. Either some are seeing it as a non-issue (it’s not)or they’re being asked to no run with this. Perhaps the Governor’s office threatened to “Jody Barr” anyone that makes a stink out of this. Damned shame, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
By Sperm Bank November 11, 2011 at 10:59 am
The woman has been swallowing our donations for years.
By SpermBank November 11, 2011 at 11:00 am
The woman has been swallowing our donations for years.
By GovPerry November 11, 2011 at 11:03 am
At least when I make a gaffe, it is because I am forgetful and a terrible debater, not because I am stupid.
By Sunshine November 11, 2011 at 11:06 am
You want what? No problem, lets dangle a little yum yum at Nikki Haley and get you some of the good stuff.
By Pam November 11, 2011 at 11:45 am
DEHC board member Kenyon Wells is the Haley cash cow. No one knows more about the sleaze in the Haley campaign than he does.
I say follow the money.
By Always Back Of The Line November 11, 2011 at 11:50 am
Georgia is kicking our butts in a number of critical competitive areas.
They beat us like a rented mule, or to shift the analogy, Georgia plays our bureaucrats and politicians like the cheap fiddles they are. Georgia plays to win as a state (as well no doubt as career individuals and smaller organizations such as cities, etc.) and they field a team of professionals to do it, not only out front but supported professionally behind the scenes.
South Carolina fields a sand lot pick up team. Mediocre appointed rather than proved players strutting proudly now in a uniform and the new feel of shoes. Playing gaudily, if without talent, they demand their time to preen in the spotlight at bat rather than line up strategically for the team. Some better performers are in the line up to be sure, but they too play for their own local designs and not the state pennant. Behind the scenes? Bureaucracies now culled and trained to give the answers a politician or lazy cowardly higher bureaucrat wants, not the well supported technically correct and defensible and reliable answers. South Carolina’s team: motley and mediocre and without competent and well motivated leadership. More a flock than a team.
Take a look beyond the port situations. For example, take a gander at the much larger and longer completion in other areas. Maybe, finally, at long last, years after every other state has gotten a good long head start, maybe South Carolina ought to take a look at its water resources and its competitions with Georgia. God forbid that the legislature–being the real government in SC–ever take a responsible deep and long look there. Better still, look at education in its role of competition and a long term investment, rather than just a requirement and a cost.
But we can’t do it. We decide to be and stay behind.
By Alabaster II November 11, 2011 at 11:56 am
How can Nikki get away with this-thought the Governors of SC have no power and that the General Assembly has to approve what happens in SC.
By Cid November 11, 2011 at 11:57 am
Where is “t?”
We need him to straighten out Back of the Liine
Who cares about all this economic stuff?
How bout “family values?”
Come on”t”
Let this damn “librul” have it!
By Old Bike Dude November 11, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Let’s see if our legislature sits on it’s hands while it talks tough.
By Not fair November 11, 2011 at 1:17 pm
By now everyone should realize that she’s a whore in more ways than one.
By Gov. Nikki November 11, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I’ve got my reasons (none of your beez-wax) to grant a strategic state asset to Georgia, one of our state’s two principal business rivals.
and…
to appease business rival number two, North Carolina, I donate these counties:
Horry
Dillon
Marlboro
Chesterfield
Lancaster
York
Cherokee
Spartanburg
Greenville
Pickens
Oconee
That’ll cover everything!
No hard feelings!
Everybody happy?
By Pimpin' For Nikki November 11, 2011 at 1:28 pm
The legislature won’t do a thing. Squawk a bit perhaps, but nothing official.
Can they? Sure. Hold an ethics investigation. Subpoena witnesses, documents and emails. Take depositions. Look behind donations to the Haley war chest.
Pay to Play.
It’s what SC Politicians do best.
What is even more disgusting is what she could have gotten from GA for the State of SC, in exchange for this sell out.
But no – she wanted the money for herself. So for a few thousand bucks, she gave away Hundreds of Millions in potential revenue.
Where is the media on this? Oh yeah. USC is playing Florida. I forgot.
By Old Bike Dude November 11, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Need Sens Davis and Pinckney and the entire lowcountry delegation to act in unison in forcing board to rescind it’s decision. Haley needs to be recalled. Entire Senate should grow a pair and demand the recall. Nim the coconut must go.
By Sick of Pandering November 11, 2011 at 2:48 pm
It’s time to quit complaining and demand that our legislators look into this now. When you have finished writing a comment, pick up and phone and call your senator and representative. Enough pressure from the people of SC can make this happen. People kept their mouths shut at Penn State and look at that mess. It’s time to demand some accountability. South Carolina deserves better!
By TICKED November 11, 2011 at 3:47 pm
It seems the “wingnuts” elected her and have her in protective custody. This hypocrisy, though, might even get them stirred-up..
By Waterfront commentator November 11, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Here’s the crime scene, the Savannah Wildlife Reserve:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_National_Wildlife_Refuge
http://www.coastalrefuges.org/
http://www.fws.gov/savannah/
http://www.fws.gov/savannah/pdfs/SAVfact.pdf
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41625
http://www.fws.gov/savannah/endangered.html
None of these threatened or endangered species are registered to vote.
http://www.fws.gov/savannah/pdfs/finalccp.pdf
See map on pg. 14; photo on pg. 22; “dredging” and “tidal” comments on pg. 38, 52 (below *); habitat type acreage chart on pg. 66 (10,398 ac. of “Cypress–Gum Swamp”, or 36% of 29,175 ac. total); habitat map on pg. 67; and description (below **) on pg. 74.
* Comments
“Dredging” (pg. 38)
Saltwater intrusion due to past dredging projects has resulted in a loss of tidal freshwater marshes on the refuge from 6,000 acres in 1927 to less than 2,800 acres today. A study to assess the changes in plant communities and the corresponding interstitial salinity gradient (a follow-up to studies conducted in 1986-87 and 1993-94) is ongoing with plans to continue indefinitely until the freshwater marsh fully recovers. Also scientists from the National Wetlands Research Center and the University of New Orleans are investigating forest dieback in the tidal freshwater swamps and the influence of saltwater intrusion within the refuge.
…
“Tidal”
The lower 50 miles of the Savannah River are tidal. (pg. 52)
…
The Georgia and southern South Carolina coasts are subject twice daily to tides, both approximately the same height. The height of the tide varies between 5 and 9 feet. The tidal movement of saline waters into the estuaries and the drainage of rivers into them cause the complicated hydrologic patterns characteristic of estuaries, with tidal action usually serving as the dominant force mixing freshwater and saltwater.
…
All wetlands outside of managed impoundments are subject to tidal fluctuations with amplitudes ranging from 6 to 10 feet.
——————————————-
** Savannah NWR
Savannah NWR is home to a large variety of wildlife including: ducks, geese, wading birds, shorebirds and several endangered and/or threatened species including the Flatwoods salamander, wood stork, shortnose sturgeon, and manatee. The refuge is one of the most important wildlife refuges on the east coast, and during migratory periods is visited by over 20 species of warblers and 22 species of ducks. The refuge also provides nesting areas for wood ducks, great horned owls, bald eagles, osprey and swallow-tailed kites, among others.
During the winter months, thousands of mallards, pintails, and as many as 22 species of ducks migrate into the area, (including the rarely seen cinnamon teal, Eurasian widgeon, and black bellied whistling duck) joining resident wood ducks on the refuge. Other wintering birds include the peregrine falcon, northern harrier, short-eared owl, Virginia rail, common snipe, American woodcock, and a host of songbirds, including the American robin, hermit thrush, fox sparrow, and winter wren. In the spring and fall, transient songbirds stop briefly on their journey to and from northern nesting grounds. Twenty-one species of warblers, including Swainson’s, Cape May, worm-eating, blackpoll, black-throated blue, and magnolia, have been seen in spring and autumn migrations. The hardwood hammocks serve to attract and concentrate the songbirds. In the summer months, sightings of purple gallinules and wood ducks, and flocks of white ibis and glossy ibis, are observed feeding together.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CNN video about wildlife refuge system (not exactly on point, but some good information):
http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/09/02/n_wildlife_refuge_budget.cnnmoney/
By Skidmarks November 11, 2011 at 4:26 pm
So what if SC businessses use Savannah instead of Charleston.
By SickofHaley November 11, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I hope those senators balking have the guts to hold an ethics investigation, subpoena documents from DHEC, Haley and others, and most importantly, FOLLOW THE MONEY. Subpoena list of Haley’s donors and travel for the past couple of months. Surely something will be revealed showing criminal activity. Arrogant damn woman…
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By fastmouth November 12, 2011 at 6:26 am
This state really screwed up in the last governor’s election. I hope that we can learn from this terrible mistake and elect a governor in the next one that really has S.C.’s best interest at heart and not just her pocketbook. Better yet, have a recall – I don’t believe that it will ever happen, but it would probably be a good thing.
By Adam November 12, 2011 at 12:57 pm
fastmouth, Indeed, how does one go about recalling our governor?
It’d be helpful if one of the attorney-visitors to this site would post the answer to that question.
After just 10 months with Gov. Haley in office, this sad question is already relevant.
It seems that she can do no good for the state, only harm.
By Vince November 12, 2011 at 6:34 pm
We had a Republican candidate who understood the importance of our Port and how vital it is to our economy. He also had the support of our business community. But we chose “transparency” in the runoff.
By garden city gnome November 12, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Folks has this one nailed, check out the links. Haley’s ambitions have only one target, and it’s less than nothing to do with leading South Carolina, the future of this great State or the welfare of its people…
By Raymond November 12, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Nikki, I have a question: WTF?!
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