The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2011, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Caroline Rhodes presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, John Evans, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam and Larry Yonce. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Caroline Rhodes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Ron Kenyon offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Chairman Rhodes led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation Association; John Inabinet, Santee Cooper; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
   
   Chairman Rhodes introduced new Board members Cary Chastain, Member at Large; Mike Hutchins, Second Congressional District; Larry Yonce, Third Congressional District; and Randy Lowe, Fifth Congressional District.
5. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Mike McShane, Mike Campbell, Stephen Davis and Frank Murray, Jr. for their leadership and service on the DNR Board and to the citizens and natural resources of South Carolina.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Denise Frost and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts in making the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic on March 25-27 such a great success.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Emily Cope for her coordination of the Effective Supervision Training by the Management Assistance Team at the Webb Wildlife Center on March 29-30, with 31 DNR employees participating and completing the training.
   
   Mr. Pulliam nominated John Evans to serve as the Board's Vice Chairman. Mr. Chastain seconded the nomination and the vote was unanimous.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Rhodes asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the March 25, 2011, meeting minutes. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 25, 2011, as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, gave the Board a brief overview of the Climate Section and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
8. Item for Board Action
   Clemson University Real Estate Foundation Easement/Jocassee Gorges
   Paul League, Deputy Chief Counsel, reviewed and explained the proposed right-of-way easement from DNR to the Clemson University Real Estate Foundation. The easement would give the Foundation access along certain roads within DNR's Jocassee Gorges property in Pickens County. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the easement as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
9. Director's Briefings
   Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief budget update.
   
10. Legislative
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, distributed and reviewed the April 8, 2011 legislative update. Mr. Meggie informed the Board of upcoming meetings and reviewed legislation introduced during the past week. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board go on record opposing S.787 (provides for the annual feeding of native quail populations by property owners, lessees, or their designee and permits the hunting of turkey on the lands where the feeding occurs during the turkey season). Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Environmental
    Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Section.
12. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief overview of the Executive Office.
13. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Law Enforcement Division.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Outreach and Support Services Division and briefly reviewed the Department's budget.
    4. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Marine Resources Division. Mr. Boyles also briefed the Board of pending actions by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council regarding cobia and dolphin.
       
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board a brief overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Land, Water and Conservation Division.
    Chairman Rhodes opened the floor for the Board and staff to discuss a 100 day plan.
14. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board appoint Q. Stanford Halliday, III, Spartanburg, to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Board. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board recommend the appointment of Mark Daniels, Greenville; James M. Zachrich, Jr., Hilton Head; and Mark K. Rogers, Pawley’s Island; and reappointment of Dixon F. Pearce, II, Mt. Pleasant; to the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee to the Governor. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    
16. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The May Board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in Charleston.
    
    The June Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011, in Charleston.
    
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.