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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- A federal judge says that both the Georgia Ports Authority and a South Carolina agency overseeing activities in the Savannah River may take part in a $650 million lawsuit challenging the deepening of the river shipping channel.

But U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel also denied a motion Tuesday to expand the lawsuit to deal with what South Carolina environmental laws pertain to the project.

So the case will center on the original complaint that the work needs a South Carolina pollution permit. Environmental groups in both South Carolina and Georgia say the project will dredge toxic cadmium from river silt and put it on the South Carolina side of the river.

In addition to the Ports Authority, the judge is allowing South Carolina's Savannah River Maritime Commission to participate.