The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, February 6, 2015, 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 Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Bill Short, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Jim Goller, Hampton Wildlife Fund, Jukie Leary, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Marvin Davant, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Scott Whitaker, Coastal Conservation Association; Brittain Whitaker; Jen Huff, Duke Energy; Steve Jester, Duke Energy; Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy; Derah Meggie; Austin Smallwood, SC Association of Realtors; Jeff Lineberger; Marsh Julian, USC Law School Intern; and Will Croske, Honors College Intern.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the January 15, 2015, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the January 15, 2015, meeting as submitted. Norman Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Steve Jester, Jeff Lineberger, Jen Huff and Mike Ruhe, with Duke Energy, committed $350,000 to DNR for the Sassafras Mountain observation platform
   
   Dr. Jukie Leary, Bill Short, Marvin Davant and Jim Goller, with Hampton Wildlife Fund, presented the 2015 check for $150,000 from the Hampton Wildlife Fund to DNR.
   
8. Commendations
   Director Taylor commended Breck Carmichael and CPT Robert McCullough and the many staff across the agency and the Hampton Wildlife Fund and other sponsors who helped make the agency's 14th annual Natural Resources Legislative Reception held on the evening of January 20 at the State Fairgrounds such an outstanding success with DNR's many agency friends and supporters in attendance.
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with a drought update and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Clean Vessel Act and Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Update
      Scott Meister, Marine Resources Division, gave the Board a brief update on the Clean Vessel Act and the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. Mr. Meister reviewed the purpose, need and eligibility criteria for the Boating Infrastructure Grant and also presented examples of projects.
      
      Mr. Meister reviewed the purpose, types and locations for the Clean Vessel Act. Mr. Meister also provided the current list of pumpout boats and reviewed the waste monitoring systems.
10. Items for Board Action
    
    Request to Rename Saluda River Boat Landing
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the draft letters to Lexington County Council and Lexington County Delegation requesting consideration of renaming the Hope Ferry Landing on the Saluda River after retired DNR SGT J.B. Barker. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor met with April Donnelly and Mark Robertson of The Nature Conservancy about partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor attended the Barnwell Fish Hatchery celebration of its re-opening.
    
    Director Taylor met with COL Frampton and attendees at the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs' meeting at Donnelley WMA.
    
    Director Taylor met with the Deputy Directors at Donnelley WMA about budget and future plans.
    
    Director Taylor met with LT COL John Litz, District Engineer of the Charleston District, Corps of Engineer and his senior staff about ongoing projects and partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor gave the Board a brief status report on turkey and deer legislation.
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, gave the Board a brief report on turkey, deer, litter, and trespasser responsibility/liability legislation. Mr. Meggie reported that both the House and Senate should be taking up the budget soon.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, which were contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Haile Gold Mine and the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. Mr. Perry also briefed the Board on energy exploration on the outer continental shelf.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported on fundraising for the Sassafras Observation Platform. Mrs. Cope briefed the Board on upcoming cormorant management activity.
    2. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles reported that the commercial shrimp trawling season will close today at 7:00 pm. Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief update on Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge access and public trust responsibilities.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to evaluate the proposed purchase of 453 acres adjoining the DNR's Palachucola WMA in Jasper County. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to evaluate the proposed purchase of 508 acres adjoining DNR's Cliff Pitts WMA in Laurens County. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to evaluate the proposed purchase of 96 acres within DNR's Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board give final approval to the acquisition of 154 acres adjoining DNR's Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       COL Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported on the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs' meeting held at Donnelley WMA. COL Frampton gave the Board a brief hiring update.
    2. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board a brief update on the app.
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
18. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The March 2015 meeting will be held Thursday, March 19, 2015 at NWTF headquarters in Edgefield.
    
19. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for February 6, 2015 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.