Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Connector
SELC files suit to stop destructive and wasteful bridge project
The Southern Environmental Law Center has filed a federal lawsuit to stop a South Carolina bridge project that has been identified as one of America's most wasteful road projects. The controversial Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Connector will cost an estimated $150 million and will harm one of the state's most pristine natural areas.
©Bill Lea
The Briggs DeLaine Pearson Connector would cost $100 million, diverting money away from identified transportation priorities without providing the economic benefits it claims.
The lawsuit contends the SC Department of Transportation ignored data showing the project would not improve local traffic or economic conditions, failed to look at less destructive alternatives and ignored serious environmental problems.
In January, 2007, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control agreed and denied a water quality permit requested by the state Department of Transportation for the bridge, dealing a major blow to the project. Mirroring complaints made by SELC, DHEC’s Division of Water Quality concluded that DOT had failed to provide adequate information to assess the environmental impacts or establish the claimed benefits of the project, as required by law.
DHEC concluded that DOT had failed to demonstrate that the bridge is the least environmentally damaging option to improve economic conditions in the area; had not conducted a thorough review of the environmental impacts of the project; had not developed a plan to mitigate unavoidable environmental impacts; and had failed to properly evaluate potential impacts on water quality and public health.
Despite DOT's clear involvement in the case, the agency attempted to be removed from the litigation. Fortunately, a federal judge agreed with SELC and rejected the agency request, ruling in April, 2007 that that the involvement of state officials in the studies and in potentially building the project justified keeping them in the case.
The bridge project highlights the larger problem within SCDOT of unnecessary projects getting a green light while identified transportation priorities remain unfunded. The agency is facing a severe financial crisis. Its 20 year plan reflects $57 billion in priorities with only $11 million to pay for them. Even Governor Mark Sanford has called the project "fiscally irresponsible.”
The public agrees: SCDOT itself has acknowledged that “input throughout the public involvement process resulted in a common opinion that the funds for this project would be better spent on other transportation system improvements, or on other needs."
The Connector aims to link the small communities of Rimini and Lone Star, and promises an economic development boon and decreased traffic times. Its construction would destroy over 15 acres of wetlands in the Upper Santee Swamp, one of the last large, intact bottomland hardwood swamps in South Carolina and an area treasured by hunters, anglers and nature lovers. Ironically, building the Connector would degrade the value of the area as a destination for ecotourism, one of the most promising potential engines for economic development in the area.
Despite promises to the contrary, the Connector would provide no benefit to the region's economic development or a meaningful decrease in travel times. Transportation studies have shown travel times would shorten a mere 8 minutes off a 60-70 minute drive. Furthermore, there is no evidence that such a project would bring any economic development to the area.
After laying dormant for years, the Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Connecter was given new life by the federal transportation bill, prompting the state Department of Transportation to apply for necessary wetlands permits.
The Southern Environmental Law Center represents the Coastal Conservation League, the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and the South Carolina Audubon Society in the federal suit.
