NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (AP) -- Man-made canals in North Myrtle Beach are no longer under state jurisdiction and local officials say that will make it easier to get the canals dredged.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported Gov. Nikki Haley signed a bill this week removing canals in the Cherry Grove section from the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

North Myrtle Beach spokesman Pat Dowling has said the change will allow the city to deal only with the Army Corps of Engineers on a dredging permit.

The city has been working for seven years to dredge the canals where water barely flows in some places.

A dredging project that could cost $10 million has been delayed by a court dispute over ownership of the canals.

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