The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, January 6, 2016, 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, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Randy Lowe's absence was excused. 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: Ben Gregg, SC Wildlife Federation; Emma Hall, Capital Information Affiliates; and Lisa Ruth.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael reported that Ben Gregg has requested to address the Board. Mr. Gregg acknowledged and thanked DNR officers for their work during the recent flooding event.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the November 19, 2015, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the November 19, 2015 meeting as submitted. Norman Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended Deputy Director Emily Cope, Ross Self and staff for hosting the Sport Fishing Industry Summit held at the Webb Center
   
   Director Taylor asked Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, to present the Meritorious Service Award to a nominated employee. Mrs. Cope presented the award to Charles Ruth.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   Marine
   Mr. Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met December 4 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received an overview of the recent flooding event. The Advisory Committee received a report on the monitoring of effects of flooding on marine estuaries. The Advisory Committee received a status report on spotted sea trout. The Advisory Committee received a report on Region 4 Law Enforcement activities.
9. Item for Board Information
   1. Surface Water Assessment/State Water Plan
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation provided the Board with a brief presentation on the Development of Basinwide Surface-Water Quantity Models in South Carolina. Mr. Rentiers informed the board that the project will develop surface water quantity models for each of the State's eight major watersheds. These models will be used for regional water planning and for updating the State Water Plan. Mr. Rentiers identified the partners, the river basins, the members of the Technical Advisory Committee, the schedule for development and the steps in model development.
   2. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reported that December 2015 was the warmest on record. Dr. Mizzell also reported on station readings during the flood event. Dr. Mizzell provided the Board with a presentation on the recent flood event and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
10. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor informed the Board that the report of the boating public meetings is finalized and the report of the deer public meetings is finalized and posted on the website.
    
    Director Taylor noted that the hunting deer with dog public meetings are currently being held.
    
    Director Taylor met with Rear Admiral Scott Buschman, Coast Guard 7th District Commander and Captain Gary Tomasulo, Commander at Coast Guard Sector Charleston.
    
    Director Taylor met with Patriot's Point staff to discuss partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor attended a Brandt Information Services demonstration on license sales.
    
    Director Taylor reminded the Board that the legislative reception will be held January 27.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board that CPT Tim Baxley's retirement dinner will be held January 13 at Rimini.
11. Legislative Report
    CPT Mike Sabaka briefly reported that the budget; S 454 - deer tagging and limits; deer depredation permits; striped bass initiative by Santee Cooper Country; cobia and boating legislation are all included on this year's legislative agenda. CPT Sabaka informed the Board that S 519 - reauthorization of SC Conservation Bank did not move after its introduction, and DNR supports this bill. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board go on record in support of S 519 and S 454. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the Catawba-Wateree Hydro-Electric Project and the I-73 project.
13. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, informed the Board that the Licensing Section has moved to the State Farmer's Market and are on schedule to open to the public later this month.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board an update on lottery duck hunts and habitat enhancement sites at Lake Hartwell.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, informed the Board that the commercial shrimp trawling season is set to close Friday, January 15.
14. Item(s) for Board Action
    1. Request to Expend Jocassee Trust Funds for Sassafras Improvement Project
       Mrs. Cope briefly reviewed the request as included in the Board meeting packet. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of up to $47,500 from the Jocassee Trust Fund for the Sassafras Improvement Project as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Proposed Revisions to Policy 400.01
       Terri McGee, Director of Human Resources briefly reviewed the proposed revisions to Policy 400.01 (Request to Use or Acquire Real Property Under the Jurisdiction of SCDNR) as included in the Board meeting packet. Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the revisions to Policy 400.01 as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Yonce made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss the property disposal at Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Item(s) for Board Action
    Property Disposal at Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the disposal of approximately 0.432 acres adjoining the DNR's Jocassee Gorges WMA of US Highway 178 in northern Pickens County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Chairman McFadden stated that the Board unanimously gives a vote of confidence to Director Taylor and commends the Deputy Directors.
18. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The Board will have a workshop in February with date, time and location to be determined.
    
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 January 6, 2016 (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.