Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

1000 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC

Friday, January 21, 2005

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 21, 2005, in room 335 of 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 Mike McShane presided at the meeting.  Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans and Frank Murray.  Board members absent included Karen Floyd and Smith Ragsdale.  Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

    I.      Call to Order

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

           

   II.      Invocation

Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.  Rev. Skidmore asked that with the passing of Col. Taylor’s mother, everyone to keep Col. Taylor and his family in their thoughts.

 

  III.      Pledge of Allegiance

            Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  IV.      Presentation

Mr. Sam Wilkins, Director of the Budget and Control Board’s Office of Human Resources, presented the Human Resource Excellence Award to the Department for the “You’re a Natural” Recognition and Rewards Program.  Mr. Frampton accepted this award on behalf of the Department.  Mr. Wilkins stated that this award is given to agencies to recognize new excellent HR practices. 

 

Carole Collins recognized the members of the team who developed this program.  Mr. Frampton thanked DNR staff and the Budget and Control Board’s Office of Human Resources staff for their work on this program.

 

   V.      Introduction of Guests

        Cary Chamblee introduced Joey Holleman, The State; Angela Viney, Executive Director of South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Charles Harrison, SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; and Austin Smith, Governor’s Office.

 

  VI.      Approval of Minutes

            Chairman McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the December 10, 2004, meeting.  Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 10, 2004 meeting as presented.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

VII.       Constituent Comment

            Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that Larry Hargett, Dorchester County Councilman requested to speak to the Board.  Mr. Hargett spoke to the Board about his concerns with trespassing while deer hunting with dogs. 

 

VIII.      Presentations/Commendations

Chairman McShane read the following resolution honoring the late Jim Cockman of Greenville.

 

Resolution

 

WHEREAS, Jim Cockman of Greenville and his wife Cathy were always seeking ways to help their fellow man and they opened their home to children in need, repeatedly having served as foster parents to more than 30 children, and

 

WHEREAS, he was a leader in the American Leprosy Mission and its drive to find a vaccine against leprosy.  As part of this mission, he traveled to India to personally assist those plagued by this disease, and

 

WHEREAS, he was an active and vital member of the St. Francis Episcopal Church in Greenville where he brought the same drive to church matters that characterized his business dealings, and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Cockman was CEO of some of America’s largest corporations including Sara Lee Food Service and PYA Monarch and was involved in management of other well-known companies, and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Cockman of Greenville was widely known as a community and civic leader, and

 

WHEREAS, he served as Chairman of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce during the period when BMW committed to South Carolina, a fundraiser for Greenville Tech and the Governor’s School for the Arts and he served on the Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and

 

WHEREAS, Jim Cockman was a widely-known conservationist and was a member of the S.C. Chapter Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy for eight years and served as Chairman for two years, and spurred the Chapter to launch new projects throughout the State, establish an Upstate office, and set a goal of doubling the Chapter’s historic rate of land protection, and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of a life well lived of Jim Cockman and further resolves that a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Cockman Family and that a copy be retained in the permanent files of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

 

Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board adopt the Resolution as presented.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

     

            2004 Stewardship Award

Chairman McShane offered a brief background of the Stewardship Award and presented the 2004 Stewardship Award to SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, represented by Charles Harrison, for the Edisto Beach State Park Project.  Chairman McShane also presented an award to Liollio Architecture for their design of the Edisto Interpretive Center and park headquarters.  Mr. Lillio also praised the DNR and PRT staff for their efforts in constructing the building and presented two Architectural Excellence Awards that recognize the building’s innovative design.

 

  IX.      Advisory Committee Reports

Land, Water and Conservation

Mr. Murray reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met January 6, 2005, in Charleston.  The Advisory Committee received a presentation from the Allendale Conservation District.  Lisa Jones gave the Advisory Committee an overview of the activities of the Flood Mitigation Program. Committee member Dean Moss gave the Advisory Committee an update on the Governor’s Water Law Review Committee.  Drennan Park reviewed the status of the new State Water Assessment.  Bud Badr reviewed the Southeast Regional Climate Center’s structure and current projects.  Hope Mizzell provided an overview of major weather events during 2004.

 

   X.      Items for Board Information

A.   Update on South Carolina Double Crested Comorant

Breck Carmichael distributed copies of a document giving general information about the bird.  Mr. Carmichael spoke to the Board about what, if any, plans there are for the management of this species.  Mr. Carmichael stated that the nesting population is not the problem; the problem is the wintering migratory flocks.  It has been documented that these birds eat large numbers of fish although the impact on fisheries populations has not been documented.  Mr. Carmichael noted that this bird has been protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act since its passage.  The USFWS relaxed the protection for aquaculture facilities some time ago.  In 2003, the USFWS further relaxed the regulations by passing a rule saying that states, if they will implement a formal management plan with USFWS, can take action to control Comorants without a permit from USFWS.  Chairman McShane stated that he felt there is enough interest from the Board to initiate a management plan.

 

B.   Internet Hunting

Paul League gave the Board a brief overview of the internet hunting operation in Texas.  Mr. League stated that Texas has drafted proposed legislation to deal with this issue and distributed copies to the Board.  The State of Texas is seeking to regulate the ranch owner, employees and agents who are offering the service.  Chairman McShane and the Board directed staff to move forward with drafting proposed legislation, similar to Texas’, and find sponsors for this legislation.

 

  XI.      Item for Board Action

            Proposed WMA Regulations

Tim Ivey reviewed the proposed changes to WMA Regulations as included in the Board meeting package with one additional change to Section (VV).  For fishing, each youth must be accompanied by one or two adults 18 years old or older. 

 

Mr. Ivey also stated that due to the fact that there may be some opposition to the Carr and Little Carr Creeks inclusion into Category II Designated Waterfowl status, he suggested that the proposed regulations on this issue be submitted separately from the remaining proposed regulations.  Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the proposed WMA regulations as presented.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

XII.      Director’s Briefing

            Mr. Frampton mentioned to the Board that the legislative reception planned for January 19 was rescheduled for Tuesday, March 8.

 

            Mr. Frampton attended the Governor’s Budget press conference on December 14.  This press conference was held at the Criminal Justice Academy.

 

            Mr. Frampton participated in the SC Association of Conservation Districts annual conference in Charleston January 4-6.

 

            Mr. Frampton represented DNR at the House Ways and Means Economic Development Budget Subcommittee’s Budget Hearing on January 20.

 

            Mr. Frampton will be in Washington, DC, on January 24-25 meeting with Congressional Members and their staff.

 

            Mr. Frampton will be attending the National Shooting Sports Foundation Shot Show in Las Vegas over the weekend of January 28-31.

 

            Mr. Frampton will be attending the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on February 7-10, in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

            Legislation

            Derrick Meggie distributed copies of the Legislative Update as of January 21, 2005.

 

XIII.      Deputy Directors’ Reports

            A.   Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang reported that the STATEMAP grant awarded to Geological Survey this year is $222,891.  This is to be used to conduct geologic mapping in South Carolina.  South Carolina’s State Survey is the 8th highest funded survey in the nation.  Mr. Vang noted that Dillon County requested staff to conduct an eligibility study of the Little Pee Dee River in Dillon County.  Two public meetings were held to receive public input on the proposal.  Mr. Vang asked Chairman McShane if he wanted to mention the Savannah Basin Committee.  Chairman McShane stated that Governor Sanford has appointed a committee to work with Georgia on allocating the resources of the Savannah River.

 

            B.   Outreach and Support Services

Mr. Vang gave Ms. Collins’ report since she has gone to the funeral of Col. Taylor’s mother.  Mr. Vang informed the Board that they have already received 75 confirmations for the first two STARS luncheons.

 

            C.  Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Mr. Carmichael distributed copies of the progress of the Governor’s Wood Duck Box Program.  Mr. Carmichael gave the Board a preliminary report on the fish kill resulting from the chlorine spill in Aiken County.

 

            D.  Law Enforcement

Lt. Robert McCullough represented Col. Taylor at this meeting.  Lt. McCullough had no report.  Mr. Frampton gave the Board a status report on the aircraft.

 

            E.   Marine

Robert Boyles reported on the commercial shrimp season closure.  Mary Ellen Williams distributed the Estaurine Habitat Quality Report.  Mr. Boyles stated that staff are prepared to make a recommendation to increase the red drum bag limit to 3.  Chairman McShane and the board directed staff to move forward to work with the legislature on this issue.  Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the research vessel Silver Crescent should be delivered within the next two weeks.   The Silver Crescent will be replacing the Anita.

 

XIV.     Executive Session

            At this time Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

XV.      Return to Regular Session

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

 

Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept a tract of property in Jasper County from the Corps of Engineers as partial mitigation for loss of habitat in the Savannah River.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Murray made a motion that the Board appoint the slate of conservation district commissioners as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Murray made a motion that the Board ask the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee to create a study panel to draft guidelines for the appointment process of Conservation District Commissioners by the DNR Board.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Davis made a motion that the Department move forward with the purchase of a 50 acre tract in Greenville and Pickens Counties for fishing access.  Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  XVI.    Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The February Board meeting will be held on Friday, February 18, 2005, in Charleston.

 

The March meeting will be held on Friday, March 11, 2005, in Columbia.

 

XVII.    Adjournment

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