Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, South Carolina

Friday, October 19, 2001

9:00 a.m.

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, October 19, 2001, 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 Dr. Joab Lesesne presided at the meeting.   Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday Jr., and Dr. Douglas Rucker.  Malloy McEachin, Jr. 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 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

      II.      Meditation

          Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.

 

     III.      Introduction of Guests

Mr. Chamblee introduced Kathy McDeed, with Forest Watch.

 

     IV.      Approval of Minutes

Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the September 21, 2001, meeting. Dr. Leary made a motion that the minutes of the September 21, 2001, meeting be approved as submitted. Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

      V.      Presentations/Commendations

Dr. Sandifer recognized Breck Carmichael and agency staff for the success of the National Hunting and Fishing Day event sponsored by DNR and SC Wildlife Federation on Saturday, September 22.

Dr. Sandifer informed the Board that the American Fisheries Society has recognized Bebe Harrison, in CEC, for the 2001 Outstanding Aquatic Education Project in the Country for Reel Kids.

Dr. Sandifer also informed the Board that John Frampton received the C. W. Watson Award at the SEAFWA annual meeting.

 

     VI.      Advisory Committee Reports

               A.   Land, Water and Conservation

Dr. Rucker reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on October 4, 2001, in Columbia.  The Advisory Committee received a presentation from the Greenville Conservation District, highlighting their activities.  The Advisory Committee received a climate update.  Dale Theiling reviewed the proposed changes in the Aquaculture Policy and legislation.  Dr. Rucker informed the Board that the Advisory Committee recommended that a resolution of commendation be passed by the Board recognizing efforts of staff involved with the Congaree Floodplain Study.  Dr. Rucker distributed copies of the resolution to the Board and read the resolution (copy attached to the original minutes).  Dr. Rucker made a motion that the Board pass this resolution as read.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Gregg asked if Richland County Councilman Metz has communicated any further information regarding his comments at a previous meeting.  Dr. Sandifer stated that no further information has been received.

 

B.     Conservation Education and Communications

Mr. Ford reported that the Conservation Education and Communications Advisory Committee met on Friday, October 5, 2001, in Columbia.  John Davis announced that he will be taking advantage of the Retirement Incentive offered by the Department and will retire December 2, 2001.  The Advisory Committee received a report on Camp Wildwood.  The Advisory Committee was shown the new line of products that will be carried in the Wildlife Shop.

 

C.     Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Ms. Holliday reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on Thursday, October 18, 2001.  Two new Advisory Committee members were introduced.  The main topic for discussion was the proposed changes in Aquaculture.  It was noted that this topic will be discussed at the November meeting of the Marine Advisory Committee and Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.  Ms. Holliday reported that Buddy Baker explained the proposed change of procedure relative to the issuance of Furbearer Depredation Permits.  Staff has recommended a procedure that provides that depredation permits for mammalian predators be allowed for wildlife management purposes from August 1 through March 31.  Staff further recommends that a monitoring system be established for permits issued specifically for wildlife management purposes, determine the number and geographic distribution for permits and the number of animals taken.  The Advisory Committee also discussed the waterfowl season and the possibilities of an extension.

 

    VII.      Items for Board Information

A.      Web Page Report

Jim Scurry reviewed the web page, as it currently exists.  Mr. Scurry reviewed the needs analysis as provided by the RFP.  The areas are content, architecture/information design, site performance, graphic design/appeal, user experience, search engine visibility, risks/opportunities and site comparisons.  The RFP was awarded to Postpress, Inc.  Mr. Sherman Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Postpress, Inc., reviewed the findings of the Internet Website Review (copy attached to the original minutes).  At the conclusion of the presentation, Dr. Leary asked what the next step would be.  Mr. Scurry noted that there would be costs  and personnel needs to implement most of the changes outlined.  Mr. Gregg stated that he would like to see the agency acknowledge that in the communications area that a better job has to be done communicating on the web site, because that’s the future.  Dr. Leary also mentioned that in reviewing and revising the web site, expansion of services be considered.

 

               B.   Analysis of Regional Staff Meetings

Cary Chamblee introduced the members of the Workshop In Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) program.  The members of the W.I.L.D. program were given the task of taking the information received from the regional staff meetings and developing it into a format that would be useful for management.  Mr. Chamblee asked Neil Bartley and Caroline Foster to present the steps taken to develop this analysis and the top priorities of concern by Department employees.

              

               C.  Audit Plan

Bethany Allen Narboni briefly outlined the function of Audit Services.  Ms. Narboni then reviewed the audit plan and explained how it is developed (copy attached to original minutes).

 

D.     Three Mile Line

Robert Boyles described the history of the three-mile line (radar).  Mr. Boyles described some problems caused by using a radar line.  Radar was used prior to development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).  Mr. Boyles noted that the Marine Division’s interest in this focuses on resource conservation, flexibility of management of territorial sea, consistency, institute elements of certainty, and enforceability.  Mr. Boyles stated that a suggestion, thus far, is to eliminate reference to radar in Directive 601.01.  The proposal is to eliminate reference in the policy of the radar line and instead have geographically correct points using GPS.  This information will be presented to the Marine Advisory Committee at their November meeting.  There will then be meetings with the industry to present final zones and present the recommendations for action to the Board in January or February.

 

E.     Proposed Regulation Changes and Additions to State List of Threatened and Endangered Species

Tom Kohlsaat reviewed the proposed changes and additions to the list of threatened and endangered species and explained some reasons for these changes.  Mr. Kohlsaat stated that notice of intent to draft has been posted in the State Register and the proposal will be brought back to the Board for action.  This item was received as information after much discussion.

 

   VIII.      Items for Board Action

               A.   Jocassee Trust Fund Budget

Billy McTeer reviewed the proposed Jocassee Trust Fund Budget.  Mr. McTeer requested approval to spend up to $25,000 of the Jocassee Trust Fund money for ongoing operation and maintenance of Mark Hall’s activities, from present through June 30, 2001.  Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve this request.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

               B.   Two Mile Creek Fish Kill

Dan Rankin reviewed the reports of the fish kill on Two Mile Creek, which requests $2,294.78 for the cost of the replacement of fish and $1,175.68 for the investigation.  Mr. Ford made a motion that the Board approve the fish kill report and the recommendation submitted as presented.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

               C.  Revision of State Lake Regulations

                     Val Nash reviewed the proposed revisions to the State Lake Regulations.  The regulations will pertain to all state lakes except Star Fort Pond and Lake Thicketty.  Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the revision of State Lake Regulations as presented.  Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. (copy attached to original minutes)

 

 

 

     IX.      Executive Session

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

 

      X.      Return to Regular Session

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

 

     XI.      Legislative

Derrick Meggie reported that the legislative package will be presented to the Board for action at the November meeting.

 

    XII.      Deputy Directors’ Reports

               A.   Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Mr. McTeer asked Derrell Shipes to brief the Board on Chronic Wasting Disease.  Mr. McTeer informed the Board that a sub account will be set up for the Saluda River for fisheries resource and enhancement through the Mitigation Trust Fund. 

              

B.     Law Enforcement

Col. Wright informed the Board that 142 warrants have been served on 12 individuals for illegally selling shrimp. 

 

C.     Conservation Education and Communications and Administrative Services

No further report for Administrative Services.  Carole Collins reported that the November/December edition of the magazine will be mailed next week.  Ms. Collins stated that the catalogs were received this morning and noted that again DNR employees were used for the catalog.  Ms. Collins also showed the group the new items that will be carried in the Wildlife Shop.

 

D.     Marine

Dr. Miglarese thanked Billy McTeer, Val Nash and Mac Watson for the presentation on aquaculture made to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee.

 

E.     Land, Water and Conservation

No further report.

 

   XIII.      Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The November meeting will be held Friday, November 16, 2001, at 9:00 am, in room 335 of the Dennis Building.

 

The January meeting will be held Thursday, January 24, 2002, and Friday, January 25, 2002, in Georgetown.

 

The February meeting will be held Friday, February 22, 2002, at the Ann Close Springs Greenway, in Fort Mill.

 

  XIV.      Adjournment

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