Amended Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, South Carolina

March 11, 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, March 11, 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, Karen Floyd, Frank Murray 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.

 

  III.      Pledge of Allegiance

            Buford Mabry led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  IV.      Introduction of Guests

       Cary Chamblee introduced Robert Barber, South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Ray Nelson, Board Member of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Bob Bailey, Sporting Protection League; Austin Smith, Governor’s Office; and Joey Hollemon, The State newspaper.

 

V.     Constituent Comments

Mr. Chamblee introduced Chip Sharpe, DNR retiree, to the Board.  Mr. Sharpe commented on the improvements at DNR and commended several staff including Jay Butfiloski.  Mr. Sharpe expressed his appreciation to this Board and to Mr. Frampton.

 

Mr. Chamblee introduced Kathy Stevens, South Carolina Wildlife Federation Board Member, to the Board.  Ms. Stevens gave the Board a brief history of the SCWF informed the Board that the SCWF is opposed to the section of S 80 regarding the restructuring of DNR.

 

Mr. Chamblee introduced Buddy Jennings, SC Farm Bureau, Government Relations Director.  Mr. Jennings informed the Board that the Wildlife Committee of SC Farm Bureau met and has concerns about is opposed to the restructuring of DNR as provided in the current version of S 80.

 

  VI.      Approval of Minutes

            Chairman McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the February 18, 2005 meeting.  Mr. Evans made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 18, 2005 meeting as presented.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

VII.      Presentations/Commendations

            Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, presented Harry Bull a Certificate of Appreciation for his 15 years of dedicated participation in the SC State Climatology Office, Weather Observation Network.

 

            Mr. Frampton thanked everyone involved with the DNR Legislative Reception held on March 8.  The reception was well attended by House members and Senators.

 

VIII.      Items for Board Information

A.      North Island Wild Hog Removal Hunts

Breck Carmichael distributed copies of special hunts scheduled for North Island.  Mr. Carmichael stated that staff feel there is a need to manage the population of wild hogs on North Island because of habitat damage.  Mr. Carmichael noted that this will not be a one time solution to the population problem and that other hunts will likely be needed in the future.  Staff are recommending four public hunts for hogs only, with dogs only. 

 

B.      Privatization of Nuisance Alligator Program

Derrell Shipes reviewed the latest draft of the privatization of nuisance  alligator program.  Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board ratify the alligator program as proposed and ask staff to move forward.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  IX.      Items for Board Action

            A. Turkey Emergency Regulations

Tim Ivey reviewed the proposed Emergency Turkey Regulations on WMA’s.  Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approved the Emergency Turkey Regulations as proposed.  Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

   X.      Director’s Briefing

            Mr. Frampton gave the Board an update on Marvin Davant.

 

            Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the 2005 Statement of Economic Interests forms are due by April 15.

 

            Mr. Frampton represented DNR at the Habitat Protection Dedication held at Wappaoolah Plantation on February 24.  Mr. Frampton praised the Mead family for their conservation ethic and their partnership with DNR.

 

            Mr. Frampton will represent DNR at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference on March 16-19 in Crystal City, VA, as well as the Atlantic Coast Integrated Bird Conservation Committee meeting on March 14 and the Flyway Council meeting on March 15 in Virginia.

 

            Mr. Frampton reminded the Board of the Palmetto Sportsmans’ Classic to be held at the State Fairgrounds on March 18-20.

 

            Mr. Frampton is planning to attend the 2005 Annual Federal Assistance and Non-Game Coordinators meeting in Savannah on March 21.

 

            Legislation

            Derrick Meggie reported that the Budget will be debated on the House Floor the week of March 14.  The House is planning to be off the week of March 21.  Senate Fish, Game and Forestry will meet at 10:00 am, March 16, WMA regulations and hatchery stamp will be addressed at this meeting.  Mr. Meggie reported that the $1 surcharge for technology passed out of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee but may have problems once it reaches the floor.

 

  XI.     Deputy Directors’ Reports

            A. Outreach and Support Services

Carole Collins also reminded the Board that the Palmetto Sportsmans’ Classic will be held March 18-20, at the State Fairgrounds.  Ms. Collins informed the Board that the license promotion will begin in May. 

 

            B. Marine Resources

Robert Boyles reported that he and Sam Chappelear attended the first meeting of the Ricefield Impoundment Stakeholders Collaborative.  Mr. Boyles stated that staff continue to monitor the population of shrimp and there have been some low temperatures in the Charleston Harbor and south, therefore, the opening will probably not be before May.

 

            C. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang informed the Board that Hartsville Boy Scout Troop 523 built a boardwalk as an Eagle Scout project in the Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve.  Mr. Vang reminded the Board that this year is the 180th Anniversary of SC Geological Survey.  Mr. Vang invited the Board to join him on a trip to Fig Island on April 11.

 

            D. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Mr. Carmichael distributed a summary sheet and gave the Board an update of the Marketing Committee Report.

 

            E. Law Enforcement

Col. Alvin Taylor distributed copies of the 2004 Boating Statistics Report and gave the Board an update on boating accidents.  Col. Taylor also gave the Board an update on the Homeland Security Grant, DNR will receive $248,000.

 

Chairman McShane introduced Paul Roberts, Chairman of the Kiawah Conservancy and asked him to make comments to the Board concerning a coastal wetlands grant.  Mr. Roberts asked the Board to make an exception to State policy and allow the Kiawah Conservancy to hold fee title to this particular piece of property.  After much discussion, the Board decided to have conversation with the landowner to discuss his reasons for wanting the Kiawah Conservancy to hold the fee title instead of the State.

 

XII.       Executive Session

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

 

XIII.     Return to Regular Session

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

 

Mrs. Floyd made a motion to move forward with the acquisition of the Alewine Tract adjacent to Jocassee Gorges.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Murray made a motion to move forward with the appraisal process on an Island in Beaufort County.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.  Chairman McShane recused himself from discussion on this item because of the geographic proximity of property in which he has an interest.

 

Mrs. Floyd offered the following statement for ratification “In the interest of the State of South Carolina and in support of the Governor, the DNR Board unanimously endorses the exploration of efficiencies between DMV and DNR in the areas of boat and boat motor titling and registration, and sale of hunting and fishing licenses.  Once the analysis of efficiencies has been conducted, the Board welcomes the opportunity to review and provide input.  Mr. Evans seconded the ratification of the statement and the ratification carried unanimously.

 

  XIV.    Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The April Board meeting will be held on Friday, April 15, 2005, in Columbia.

 

The May Board meeting will be held on Friday, May 20, 2005, in Columbia.

 

XV.      Adjournment

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