ISSUE: Port Royal sale

OUR VIEW: Use some of the money to improve public access to waterways

The state of South Carolina has prided itself in recent times on acquiring land in the name of natural preservation. In the case of the sale of the Port of Port Royal property in Beaufort County, the state has the opportunity to use some proceeds to directly benefit citizens.

Sale of the waterfront Port Royal property is expected to generate millions of dollars. How much of it will be reinvested to directly benefit the people of Beaufort County and the Lowcountry? Traditional thinking is to keep that decision in the hands of the S.C. Ports Authority, but one lawmaker is making a different proposal.

Bill Bowers represents Colleton and Hampton counties in the S.C. House. He is saying that some of the money from the sale should be set used to buy and build new boat landings.

He is reviving a debate that has been heard before, and not just in the Lowcountry. Congestion at present facilities and the resulting difficulty in gaining access to state waterways -- particularly in fast-growing Beaufort County -- are a major issue.

“Public access to the rivers and waters of Beaufort County is inadequate and overcrowded,” Bowers said. “Further, there is not enough attention being paid to acquiring new boat landings and parks to accommodate future growth. We must act now to preserve what we have and to increase the number of facilities for the future.”

The legislator makes the case that the issue is one for the entire state. He knows that the people he represents are in neighboring counties and make large-scale use of landings in Beaufort County.

It’s an issue in Orangeburg County, too. People here annually purchase more shrimp-baiting permits than any other inland county. Beaufort County landings are a frequent destination.

“It is simply the right thing to do: Use part of the proceeds from the sale and buy another boat landing for the citizens of South Carolina.” Bowers said.

With debate on the sale of the publicly owned Port Royal property expected this week, the proposal has merit. In tight times, there may not soon come another opportunity.

You must be logged in to comment.