The Georgia Ports want the river deepened so its terminals can handle larger container ships.
/ FILE
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The two sides in a federal lawsuit over the $650 million deepening of the Savannah River shipping channel say progress is being made toward reaching a settlement.
Environmental groups have sued over the project saying deepening the shipping channel will dredge toxic cadmium form the river floor and dump it on the South Carolina side of the river serving the Georgia ports.
The federal judge hearing the case has ordered mediation. There were two days of mediation in November and then subsequent talks.
The judge has prohibited the sides from discussing specifics, but they have released a statement saying progress is being made and another mediation session is set for later this month.
The Georgia Ports want the river deepened so its terminals can handle larger container ships.
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