Gov. Nathan Deal has given the go-ahead to unleash millions in state funds to start dredging Savannah’s port — one of the state’s top economic priorities — even without Washington’s support. But securing the thousands of acres along the boggy waterway has already proven a daunting task.
Vast stretches of property needed to offset environmental damage and secure dredging right-of-way are owned by corporations, would-be developers with big dreams or private landowners with historic ties to the land and no intention of selling.
Complicating matters are warnings from federal authorities who say that buying the land without White House approval to move ahead with the port deepening could saddle the state with poisoned property and thorny legal problems. And Deal’s political rivals are eager to exploit any misstep in an election year.
Deal decided to push forward on the dredging this month after the Obama administration's surprise decision to declare the $685 million project not ready to proceed and deprive it of federal money to start work. The governor instructed state officials a week later to use "all lawful means" to start snapping up the property needed.
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