Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

1000 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC

Thursday, November 18, 2004

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 Thursday, November 18, 2004, 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 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

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

 

  IV.      Introduction of Guests

       Cary Chamblee introduced Angela Viney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Tim Flack and Joey Holleman, The State; Bert Layton, intern with the Governor’s Office; Skeets Bellamy, Kurt Darby, Charles Ragsdale and David Miller, guests of Mr. Ragsdale.

 

V.     Constituent Comment

            Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.

 

  VI.      Approval of Minutes

Chairman McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the October 15, 2004, meeting.  Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 15, 2004 meeting as presented.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

VII.       Presentations/Commendations

Mr. Frampton called on Kirk Carter of the Greenville Saltwater Fishing Club to make a presentation.  Mr. Carter presented Jesse Young, Lt. Sandy Young’s son, and Brittany Way, Tricia Way’s daughter, with $1,000 scholarships on behalf of the Greenville Saltwater Fishing Club.

 

Mr. Frampton commended all staff who worked on the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference in Hilton Head on October 30-November 3, 2004, in particular Cary Chamblee and Sandy Rucker.  Mr. Frampton noted that the meeting was very successful and had approximately 700 attendees.  Chairman McShane presented Sandy Rucker with the Board’s “Making a Difference, Naturally” certificate for her coordination and planning of this conference.

 

Chairman McShane presented Hope Mizzell and Jason Caldwell with the Board’s “Making A Difference, Naturally” certificate for their work during this year’s hurricane season.

 

VIII.      Advisory Committee Reports

A.   Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on October 20, 2004, in Columbia.  The Advisory Committee presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Douglas Rucker for his service to the Advisory Committee as the DNR Board representative from 1999-2002.

 

Rev. Tommy Knotts, Chairman of the Aiken Conservation District, provided an overview of the Aiken Conservation District’s activities.

 

Dave Hargett, one of the founders of the Saluda-Reedy River Consortium, reviewed his group’s purpose and goals. 

 

The Advisory Committee received a report from Steve de Kozlowski on the Aquatic Plant Management Program’s activities for 2004.

 

Dr. Bill Clendenin provided pictorial views of the faults that were discovered during the excavation activities associated with construction at the Lake Murray Dam.

 

B.  Saltwater Recreational Fisheries

David Whitaker reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board met on October 28, 2004, in Charleston.  The emphasis of this meeting was to give the Board more detailed information on ongoing projects. 

 

Mr. Whitaker noted that Bill Puckett is now the Chair of the Advisory Board and Skeeter Nash is the Vice Chair.

 

C.  Heritage Trust

Barry Beasley reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met November 4, 2004, in Columbia.

 

Dr. Beasley noted that Tompkins Island and an addition to Aiken Tortoise Heritage Preserve were approved by the Advisory Board.

 

Bert Pittman and Steve de Kozlowski gave the Advisory Board an exotic plant species presentation.

 

Campbell Coxe raised the issue with the Advisory Board that they need to revisit and revise their priority list for Heritage Sites.

 

Dr. Beasley announced that Dr. Julia Krebs was elected to serve as Chair and Campbell Coxe was elected to serve as Vice Chair.

 

  IX.      Item for Board Information

South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council

Johnny Stowe described prescribed burning and its benefits to the ecosystem to the Board.  Mr. Stowe reported that the first formalized study on prescribed burning was in north Florida and southern Georgia with regard to quail habitat.  Mr. Stowe informed the Board that Bob Schowalter, State Forester, called a meeting of interestedgroups and a steering committee was formed.  Mr. Stowe noted that The South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council held their first meeting in Edgefield last week and Chairman McShane and Board Member Davis were in attendance.    Mr. Stowe noted that the Board serving in 1998 passed a resolution for prescribed burning.

 

   X.      Items for Board Action

A.   Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve Management Plan

Dr. Beasley introduced Pam Ferrell, The Nature Conservancy, and Ken Prosser.  Dr. Beasley reviewed the proposed management plan for the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve.  Ms. Floyd made a motion that the Board approve the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve Management Plan as presented.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

B.   EPMS Policy Revision

Jean Cowell reviewed the proposed EPMS Policy Revisions and stated that the position description and EPMS forms will be combined to one form.  Ms. Cowell also noted that an agency-wide universal review date will be established.  Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the EPMS Policy Revision as presented.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

C.  Loss of WMA Properties in the Piedmont

Mr. Frampton reported that over the last 30 years the agency has lost about one-half of its WMA properties.  Mr. Frampton noted that this trend may be due to the fact that some paper and timber companies are selling their properties.  Mr. Frampton informed the Board that there has been some talk by Clemson of developing some of the properties that are currently in the WMA program.  Mr. Frampton recommended that contacts be made with administrators of Clemson regarding sale of WMA properties.  Chairman McShane stated that the Board supports Mr. Frampton beginning dialogue with Clemson administrators about this issue.

 

D.  Emergency Regulation to Close Mosquito Creek within the Yawkey Center to Waterfowl Hunting

Breck Carmichael reported that the Budget and Control Board will not be meeting until December and he is proposing emergency regulations to close Mosquito Creek, within the Yawkey Center, to waterfowl hunting until the Budget and Control Board meets.  Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to approve this proposal.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

  XI. Director’s Briefing

            Mr. Frampton informed the Board that Larry Cartee, for Assistant Director for the Agency, passed away.

 

            Mr. Frampton reported that Chairman McShane, Cary Chamblee, Derrick Meggie and others represented DNR at the Governor’s signing ceremony for Ducks Unlimited’s new license tag  on October 22.

 

            Mr. Frampton noted that he spoke at the 2004 Fall State Mapping Advisory Committee meeting on November 4, on “State Agency GIS Coordination Effort.”

 

            Mr. Frampton participated in an agency covered dish luncheon on November 17, held to welcome staff of the Land, Water and Conservation Division to the Dennis Building.

 

            Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the James O. Thomason Rifle Range Dedication will be held on Friday, December 3, at the Croft State Park with the dedication beginning at 12:00 noon followed with lunch at 1:00 pm. 

 

            Legislation

            Derrick Meggie reviewed the agency’s legislation as approved in concept by the Board.  Chairman McShane informed the Board that he has received a letter from a member of the Fur Trappers Association supporting the legislation concerning trapping laws.  Mr. Meggie stated that he will have final language for adoption at the December meeting.

 

XII. Deputy Directors’ Reports

            A. Law Enforcement

Col. Alvin Taylor updated the Board on the upcoming waterfowl season and training.  Col. Taylor announced that the division has recently implemented the new reporting system.  Col. Taylor informed the Board that he will be compiling a list of small items needed for officers for possible purchase.  Col. Taylor informed the Board that Ken Simmons received the Law Enforcement Best Presentation Award at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference, in Hilton Head, for his dive team presentation.

 

            B. Outreach and Support Services

Carole Collins read a note from a customer on service she received from the Customer Service Section.  Ms. Collins updated the Board on the Rewards Program and the DNR STARS.

 

            C. Marine Resources

David Whitaker updated the Board on the Limited Authority Bill and the Blue Crab Limited Authority Bill.

 

            D. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang showed the Board the new weather calendar, put together by the Climatology Section, and informed them that it can be purchased for $12.95.

 

 

            E. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Breck Carmichael informed the Board of the plan for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee to conduct public meetings on Game Zone Restructuring and the proposed Hatchery Permit.  Mr. Carmichael reported that Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff participated in a robust redhorse restocking yesterday.  Mr. Carmichael announced that Buddy Baker was presented the Southeastern Directors’ Biologist of the Year Award at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference in Hilton Head.

 

XIII.       Executive Session

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

 

XIV.      Return to Regular Session

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

 

Mr. Davis made a motion to support the acquisition of property in the ACE Basin NERR.  Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Campbell made a motion to approve the transfer of Army Corps of Engineers property at Palatchacola and Donnelley to DNR along with a $4.85 million Trust Fund.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Ms. Floyd made a motion that the Board approve acquisition of an in-holding at Jocassee.  Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the appointment of Carl Dipace to the Marine Advisory Committee; replacing Micah LeRoche.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  XV.     Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The December Board meeting will be held on Friday, December 10, 2004, at Millaree Hunt Club, near Columbia.

 

XVI.      Adjournment

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