Environmentalists to appeal International Drive to higher court

Environmentalists said Friday they contest a court decision to block construction of International Drive, this time to the state Court of Appeals. The court action is expected to delay the project’s start for at least another year.

Amy Armstrong, executive director and general counsel of the S.C. Environmental Law Project, who led the February courtroom battle against construction of the road, said they will appeal by the Aug. 25 deadline the decision handed down last month.

Armstrong said the details of their objection will be released once they file briefs with the court.

The Environmental Law Project is suing the county and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League and S.C. Wildlife Federation. The groups contend that the road project will impact the wetlands and wildlife in the nearby Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve.

The announcement did not come as a surprise to supporters of the nearly six-mile road project, which would link Highway 90 to Carolina Forest.

Felicia Soto, one of several residents who live along S.C. 90 and support the road project, said the appeal is a waste of taxpayer dollars and the court’s valuable time.

“We’re not surprised, it’s just crazy,” Soto said. “This has lasted nine years already, one more year is not going to crack us.”

Soto and more than 20 residents who live along Highway 90 picketed in front of the Coastal Conservation League headquarters last month, and she said they plan to picket them again until the court appeal is concluded.

“We feel confident that the next judge will hear how ridiculous this is, and what a shame it is they are tying up court time with it. But we will continue to make our voices heard and plan to picket them again,” Soto said.

Officials expect the court challenges will add to the price tag of construction, which now stands at $15.5 million, but say they won’t know the full cost until the litigation is exhausted, which could take another year.

Mark Lazarus, chairman of the Horry County Council, praised the citizens’ group for supporting the project and said that the county will continue to challenge opposition from the environmentalists in court.

“Are we highly disappointed? Yes. Are we surprised by their continued desire to appeal this project? Absolutely not,” Lazarus said.

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Environmentalists to appeal International Drive to higher court."