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URGING THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE BY EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CREATE A COMMISSION IN COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A JOINT PORT AUTHORITY FOR THE PORT OF SAVANNAH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Whereas, the Savannah River is the navigable river that serves the Port of Savannah; and
Whereas, the State of South Carolina borders the northern side of the Savannah River; and
Whereas, Jasper County borders the Savannah River on the north; and
Whereas, both the State of South Carolina and the State of Georgia have established port authorities to govern all port-related activities in their states; and
Whereas, competition for shipping business has been a long accepted tradition between the Port of Savannah and the Port of Charleston; and
Whereas, both states are intent on supporting the future development of their respective ports; and
Whereas, both the State of South Carolina and the State of Georgia are dependent on the economic benefits derived from the activities of each respective port authority; and
Whereas, the ever increasing size of ships is requiring both ports to continually deepen their respective rivers which serve their ports; and
Whereas, the environmental factors affected by the river deepening is becoming a major obstacle to be overcome by each port before deepening their respective port rivers; and
Whereas, there may be certain benefits to be realized by both states sharing information regarding a proposed port operation on both the north and south sides of the Savannah River; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of both states to cooperate with each other's economic activities along the border shared by both states. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the Governor of this State is urged to create by executive order, in cooperation with the Governor of Georgia, a bilateral port commission to study jointly the advantages and disadvantages of creating, by means of an interstate compact, a Joint Port Authority to oversee and control port activities on the Savannah River, to estimate the costs and financial arrangements related to the authority, and to issue a report to the Governors and legislatures of the respective states as soon as is practicable.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Governor of South Carolina.
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