COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Federal environmental officials are worried about wetlands as South Carolina plans for Interstate 73 linking Myrtle Beach and I-95.
The State newspaper reported Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency's regional administrator is recommending the denial of a wetlands permit for the project.
I-73 is to run 80 miles from McColl to Conway as part of a highway proposed to stretch to Michigan.
The newspaper reported that an April 28 letter by regional administrator Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming was released Tuesday. She expresses concern that the road would have "substantial and unacceptable impacts" on important natural areas of eastern South Carolina.
Tourism officials in South Carolina are anxious for the road to link with I-95, which spans the East Coast.
State transportation officials would not talk about the letter.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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