Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, SC

Friday, January 17, 2003

9:30 a.m.

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, January 17, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina.  Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media.  Chairman Dr. Joab M. Lesesne presided at the meeting.  Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday, Jr., and Malloy McEachin.  Board Member Rucker was absent from the meeting.  Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

I.        Call to Order

             Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

II.           Meditation

         Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.

 

III.         Introduction of Guests

        Cary Chamblee introduced Angela Viney, SC Wildlife Federation; Joey Holleman, The State newspaper; Marge Davenport, USGS;  and Perry Simpson, LAC.

 

        Angela Viney announced the SC Widlife Federation’s Conservation Awards Program 38th anniversary.  The awards ceremony will be held in Clemson in conjunction with their conference.  Ms. Viney reported that the following DNR staff/projects will receive awards at the January 25 banquet:  Captain Larry Holbrooks; 2002 SCWF Conservation Award for Communications; Lloyd G. Webb Natural Resources Office (Sam Stokes), 2002 SCWF Bootsie Manning Wildlife Habitat Award; Edisto River Forest Legacy Project (Emily Cope), 2002 SCWF Forest Conservation Award; and Partners for Trout Project (Dan Rankin), 2002 SCWF Wildlife Conservationist of the Year.

 

        Mr. Chamblee then introduced Stacy Ford, Terrea Braden, Carl Dipace, Peter Davis and Arthur Ford, representing the Blue Crabbing Industry.

 

IV. Approval of Minutes

Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the November 15, 2002, meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the November 15, 2002 meeting be approved as submitted.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.               

 

Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the December 13, 2002, meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the December 13, 2002 meeting be approved as submitted.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. 

 

V. Presentations/Commendations

Mr. McTeer reported to the Board that Breck Carmichael has been awarded the job as Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Program Coordinator. This job was approved by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife agency directors to work under a 3 year grant to facilitate implementation of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI).  Breck will remain in tis office and work throughout the southeast.

 

VI. Advisory Committee Reports

A.    Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

Dr. John Miglarese stated that the Advisory Board’s latest meeting was mainly a strategic planning meeting regarding their tournaments.  The Board has decided to reduce the number of tournament events from 6 to 4 and also to reorder the events. 

 

B.  Marine

Mr. Gregg reported that the Marine Advisory Committee had a lengthy discussion about Blue Crabs and the recommendation of the Blue Crab Citizens Committee (recommendations attached to original minutes).  Mr. Gregg described the make-up of the Citizens Committee to the Board as recreational crabbers, commercial crabbers, research scientists and Department staff.  Mr. Gregg noted that there has been a consensus on most of the recommendations sent forward to the Board for consideration.  Mr. Gregg then asked David Whitaker to present to the Board the recommendations of the Citizens Committee and the Marine Advisory Committee and inform the Board which items were agreed upon and which still needs some attention.  Chairman Lesesne then asked to hear from individuals representing the crabbing industry.  Mr. Petey Davis then shared with the Board the industry’s view on several of the recommendations. 

 

After much discussion, Mr. Gregg made a motion that DNR propose legislation immediately to freeze the number of commercial licenses based on commercial licenses of December 17, 2002.  The proposed moratorium would extend from July 1, 2003 through July 1, 2004 with DNR having the discretion to extend the moratorium, if appropriate, from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005 to finish the study.  Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Gregg made a motion that staff report to the Board in February, based on discussions and based on the deliberations by the different committees, recommendations on legislation to move forward this year and also to come back with a recommendation on the public review and study process for the items that are more long-term.  Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

C.     Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang reported that a subcommittee is examining revisions needed for the Drought Response Act and the State Water Plan.  These should be provided to the Board in May or June.  Mr. Vang asked Von Snelgrove to present the Diversity Report as approved by the Land, Water and Conservation Division Advisory Committee.  Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board adopt the Diversity Report as presented.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously (recommendation attached to original minutes).

 

D.     Law Enforcement

Dr. Leary reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received a briefing from Dave Wielicki on SC Waterfowl.  Dr. Leary noted that to date DNR Law Enforcement has over $275,000 in federal grants and are continuing to apply for more.  A third pilot has been hired through federal funds and 34 vehicles have been purchased through federal funds.  Dr. Leary informed the Board that 32 DLEO’s have been trained to work with Homeland Security.  Dr. Leary announced that Kristi Lumley and Paul Michael Thomas have been detailed to Governor’s Security.  Dr. Leary shared with the Board some goals of the Law Enforcement Division:  better weaponry for Homeland Security; Take One Make One Program; and an Honor Guard.  Dr. Leary reported that the Law Enforcement Division is down by 54 officers.

 

            E.   Conservation Education and Communications

            Mr. Ford reported that the Conservation Education and Communications Advisory Committee met on January 10.  Gail Proctor gave a report on holiday sales; Carole Collins gave a report on funds received form the Hampton fund; and Jim Goller gave a status report on the upcoming Palmetto Sportsmens’ Clasic.  Mr. Ford noted that the CEC Advisory Committee will hold their next meeting on March 28 and members will be working at the PSC.

 

VII.Executive Session

           At this time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.

 

VIII. Return to Regular Session   

            The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the agency head planning stage as amended.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioners as submitted.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioner Emeritus’ as submitted.  Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Department move forward with the acquisition of Pine Island from The Nature Conservancy for no more than TNC’s purchasing price after reconfirming the values by separate appraisal.  Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Department move forward on appraisal and possible future acquisition of a targeted tract of land in Congressional District Six, Sumter County.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Department to name a marsh impoundment for a former DNR employee.  Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve spending up to $100,000 from the Colonial Pipeline Restoration Project for appraisals and surveys and for possible future easements on property in that area.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  IX. Items for Board Action

Governor’s Cup Annual Report

Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board approve the Governor’s Cup Annual Report as submitted.  Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

   X. Items for Board Information

Aquatic Plant Management

Mr. Vang presented the Aquatic Plant Management Plan to the Board for information and reviewed the option for the treatment of hydrilla on Lake Murray.  It has been decided by the Aquatic Plant Management Council that grass carp will be used in Lake Murray.  Lexington County, Richland County and the Corps of Engineers have provided funding for these carp.  The Board then had a lengthy discussion on the hydrilla issue and its treatment at Lake Murray.

 

  XI. Director’s Briefings

Dr. Sandifer reminded the Board that the DNR Legislative Reception is schedule for January 22 at 8:00 pm, or immediately following the Governor’s State of the State Address.

 

Dr. Sandifer informed the Board that he is scheduled to appear before Representative Koon’s Ways and Means Subcommittee on January 22.

 

Dr. Sandifer reported to the Board that he has organized a habitat task force with Barry Beasley as coordinator.

 

Development and National Affairs

John Frampton reported that there will be a Donnelley transfer dedication on February 2.

 

Legislative Report

Derrick Meggie reported on the current status of the Department’s legislation.  Mr. Meggie also reported on legislation of concern to the Department.

 

XII. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, February 21, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

 

XIII. Adjournment

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.