The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, January 15, 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, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Randy Lowe's absence was excused. 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. Eric Skidmore, 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: Joey Holleman, The State; Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors; Chip Sharpe, retired DNR employee; and Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that Mr. Sharpe has requested to make comments to the Board. Mr. Sharpe requested that the Board ask the Lexington County Delegation and Lexington County Council to consider renaming the boat landing on the Saluda River after SGT J. B. Barker, if and when the landing is renamed. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board request staff to draft a letter/resolution for approval at a later time. Michael Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the October 14, 2014, meeting minutes. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the October 14, 2014, meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Chairman McFadden informed the Board that Director Taylor is absent due to attending the House Ways and Means Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Subcommittee meeting.
   
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, commended DNR Law Enforcement Officers who assisted at the family home during the funeral services for Former Governor James B. Edwards.
   
   Mr. Boyles commended DNR United Way Committee members Penny Anderson of Law Enforcement, Brooke Spence and Lara Backman of Outreach and Support Services, Ken Prosser and Denise Froehle of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Kathy Boyle of Land, Water and Conservation, and Kevin Kibler, Angie Cassella and Debbie Smith of Executive, for their efforts in raising $1,076 for the 2014 United Way Campaign.
   
   Mr. Boyles commended Terri McGee, Human Resources Director, on her selection as Chairperson of the State Grievance Committee.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Migratory Waterfowl
      Chairman McFadden called the Board's attention to the duck stamp print by artist Richard Clifton on display.
   2. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met and toured Liberty Hill on November 6. Mr. Rentiers distributed the Heritage Trust Revenue Report.
   3. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met November 6 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee reviewed the 2014 Series and the 2015 Series schedule. The Advisory Committee discussed the awards reception and set the 2015 reception for September 25 at Island House. The Advisory Committee passed the following rule change "intent" to kill a billfish. "Any billfish gaffed, harpooned or otherwise injured in an attempt to boat the fish will not qualify for catch and release points. Additionally, if the gaff crosses the vertical plane of the boat, the boat will not qualify for catch and release points."
   4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met November 12 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received updates on bear season, lottery hunt changes, land acquisitions and fall fish stocking projects. The Advisory Committee received the results of opening day on public dove fields. Mr. Hutchins informed the Board that the Barnwell Hatchery is scheduled to reopen later this month.
   5. Marine
      Cary Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met December 5 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received an update on the blue crab fishery legislation. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Saltwater Recreational fishing license comparison of the southeastern states. The Advisory Committee received an update on Region IV Law Enforcement activities.
9. Item for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with a drought update and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, treamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Clemson Forest
      Richard Morton, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, provided the Board with a brief presentation of the activities and cooperative efforts within Clemson Forest.
10. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Boyles reminded the Board that their Statement of Economic Interests reports are due electronically by March 30.
    
    Mr. Boyles informed the Board that Director Taylor participated in the Morning Dew anniversary memorial service.
    
11. 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: Waters of the US Proposed Rule; Haile Gold Mine; Carolina Jellyballs, LLC; and Charleston Harbor Deepening Project.
12. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board an update on the hiring process.
    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.
13. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that most DNR proposed legislation has crossed over prior to May 1 deadline for legislation to cross over from one House to the other. Mr. Meggie reviewed the bills that have crossed and mentioned that the State Lakes legislation should be introduced in the next week.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Scott Speares, Interim Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board a brief update on the app. Mr. Speares informed the Board that some 365 day licenses became available on January 1.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the board a brief update on water planning activities and the Water Assessment Project.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, provided the Board with an update on Family Fishing Clinics and personnel promotions. Mrs. Cope informed the Board that the Barnwell Hatchery reopening celebration will be held Friday, January 23.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The February 2015 meeting will be held Friday, February 6 in Columbia.
    
18. 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 15, 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.