Minutes
John and Holly Self Drummond Education and Conference Center
Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area
302 State Park Road, Ninety Six, SC
Friday, January 16, 2004
10:00 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday,
January 16, 2004, at the John and Holly Self Drummond Education and Conference
Center, Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area, Ninety Six, South Carolina. Notice of the date, time and place of the
meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael
Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, and Smith Ragsdale. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the
Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various
guests.
Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane asked for
a moment of silence.
Mr. Chamblee introduced
Jason Zacker, Greenville News; Noel Hurley, USGS; Terry LeCroy, NWTF;
Stanley Smith, Lt. Col. Retired; Joey Holleman, The State; Billy Hoole,
NWTF County Banquet Chairman; and Phil Lucas.
IV. Constituent Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that Greg Henderson, Chairman of the Greenwood Conservation District, requested to speak to the Board. Mr. Henderson informed the Board of two projects the Greenwood Conservation District has been assisting PRT with at the Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area.
Chairman McShane introduced newly appointed Board Member John Evans. Mr. Evans has been appointed to fill the seat for the Sixth Congressional District.
Mr. McShane asked if there
were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the December 11, 2003,
meeting. There being no corrections
or additions, Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the
December 11, 2003, meeting as submitted.
Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VI. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton thanked Phil Gaines and David Drake of PRT, for graciously waiving the fee and allowing the Board to use the meeting place.
VII. Advisory Committee Reports
A. Land, Water and Conservation
Mr. Vang reported that the
Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee approved the State Water Plan,
which will be presented to the Board at this meeting. The Advisory Committee received a report from Hope Mizzell on the
long-term weather outlook. The Advisory
Committee went through a review of the results of a questionnaire sent to
conservation districts; results of this questionnaire will be presented to the
Board.
B. Law
Enforcement
Mr. Campbell reported that
the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Take One
Make One program. Mr. Campbell
commended Law Enforcement for their involvement and work during such trying economic
times. Mr. Campbell recognized Capt.
Glenn Ward for his efforts in the recent rescue of a three-year-old child who
was separated from his father in Charleston County. Mr. Campbell reported that the nuisance alligator report has been
forwarded to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. Burk Watson, a new committee member, was
present at yesterday’s meeting.
VIII. Item for Board
Information
A. South Carolina Wildlife
Magazine
Carole Collins reviewed the history of funding for SCW,
including the fact that it was fully funded by state dollars until the 93-94
Appropriations Act Proviso 24.4 was passed.
In September 1997, LAC Audit stated that while salaries could continue
to be supported with state appropriations, earned revenue should gradually
support other operating costs. Ms.
Collins stated she felt that the Magazine should be able to run without state
appropriated funds by the end of this fiscal year.
Chairman McShane noted that for the record
the subscription price for the magazine is $10/year or $25/3-years. The last price increase was effective in
1989. Chairman McShane stated that one
particular item he has an interest in is the fact that the magazine no longer
gets to either public or private schools.
Chairman McShane reported that Ms. Collins has informed Board Members of
the cost to put the Magazine into the library of every school. Chairman McShane informed Ms. Collins that
there has been a two-year commitment made from two anonymous Board Members to
provide the funds to get the Magazine into every public/private school in South
Carolina.
Ms.
Linda Renshaw, Editor, South Carolina Wildlife Magazine, reviewed the
steps in the production of one issue of the Magazine.
IX. Items for Board Action
A. State Water Plan
Bud Badr reviewed the changes from the
1998 Water Plan to the currently proposed Water Plan. After Mr. Badr’s reviewed the revisions and answered questions, Mr.
Campbell made a motion that the State Water Plan be approved as presented. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
B. Final WMA and Chronic Wasting Disease
Regulations
Mr.
Ivey informed the Board that the proposed final WMA and CWD regulations are
identical to the proposed emergency regulations adopted in November and
December. Mr. Campbell made a motion
that the Board approve the Final WMA and CWD regulations as presented. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
X. Director’s Briefings
Mr. Frampton responded to
Mr. Ragsdale’s question from the last meeting regarding T-Shot.
Mr. Frampton distributed
copies of the 2005 Federal Appropriations budget request.
Mr. Chamblee reported to
the Board that in December the Harry Hampton Board awarded DNR $100,000 for
education and special projects.
Mr. Frampton represented
DNR at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting held on December
15-18 in New York.
Mr. Frampton attended the
SC Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s meeting at Hickory Knob
State Park on January 2-5.
Mr. Frampton reminded the
Board that the legislative reception is planned for January 20 at the State
Museum.
A. Legislative Report
Derrick Meggie referred to
the Governor’s proposed budget and Senator McConnell’s bill proposing a
DENR. Mr. Meggie distributed and
reviewed the weekly legislative update.
Mr. Meggie informed the Board that this report will be sent via email
every Friday afternoon or Monday morning.
B. Habitat Task Force
Barry Beasley reported on conservation
easements and an easement policy. Mr.
Beasley stated that the Habitat Task Force hopes to have a proposed policy in
February.
XI. Deputy Directors’
Reports
1. CEC and
Administrative Services
Chairman McShane informed Ms. Collins that the commitment for placing SCW Magazine in schools has been increased to three years.
Ms. Collins informed the Board that the next South Carolina Wildlife TV show will be aired February 14 at 6:00 pm. Ms. Collins also reported that license sales are increasing over last year.
2. Marine
Robert Boyles reported that the Marine Division hosted Congressman Wilson and staff at the Waddell Center to discuss private/public partnerships. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the first documented case of a Lion Fish in South Carolina was caught off the coast of Georgetown in December. Mr. Boyles noted that shrimp trawling season is completely closed as of today.
3. Land, Water
and Conservation
Mr. Vang reported that the University of South Carolina is in the process of planning for the future. They will have five areas of excellence, which will be used for their funding; one area is the environment. Mr. Vang distributed the SC Geologic Survey’s Academic Review, a peer reviewed journal. Mr. Vang also had state watershed maps for distribution.
4. Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
Billy McTeer reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee will be making recommendations on the Law Enforcement report on alligators. Mr. McTeer stated that the Forestry Commission has been contacted about burning exemptions on Safe Harbor projects. Mr. McTeer noted that today is the final day of the mid-winter waterfowl survey.
5. Law
Enforcement
Col. Wright reported that interviews for the Lt. Col. Position have been completed and an announcement should be made soon. The Law Enforcement Division has posted a hunter education position. Col. Wright noted the efforts for this year’s waterfowl season. Col. Wright then reviewed the monthly activities for the Law Enforcement Division.
XII. Special
Presentation
Chairman McShane read a Resolution of the DNR
Board establishing the John W. Drummond Conservation Award. Chairman McShane then read a Resolution of
the DNR Board naming Senator John W. Drummond as the first recipient of the
John W. Drummond Conservation Award.
Senator Drummond made comments, thanked the
Board for the award and praised DNR for their long record of excellent service
in South Carolina.
XIII. Executive Session
At this time Mr. Davis made
a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal
and personnel matters. Mr. Campbell
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Return to Regular Session
There were no items discussed in executive session that
require action.
XV. Time and Location of
the Next Meeting
The next meeting of the DNR
Board will be held Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Marine Resources Division
Auditorium, Charleston, SC.
The March meeting of the
DNR Board will be held Friday, March 26, 2004, at the Rembert C. Dennis
Building, Columbia, SC.
XVI. Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.