Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building,
Room 335
Columbia, SC
Friday, January 17, 2003
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
Friday, January 17, 2003, 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 Dr. Joab M. Lesesne presided at the meeting.
Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg,
M. Russell Holliday, Jr., and Malloy McEachin.
Board Member Rucker was absent from the meeting.
Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural
Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.
Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed
everyone to the meeting.
Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.
Cary Chamblee introduced
Angela Viney, SC Wildlife Federation; Joey Holleman, The State newspaper;
Marge Davenport, USGS; and Perry Simpson, LAC.
Angela Viney announced the
SC Widlife Federation’s Conservation Awards Program 38th
anniversary. The awards ceremony
will be held in Clemson in conjunction with their conference.
Ms. Viney reported that the following DNR staff/projects will receive
awards at the January 25 banquet:
Captain Larry Holbrooks; 2002 SCWF Conservation Award for Communications;
Lloyd G. Webb Natural Resources Office (Sam Stokes), 2002 SCWF Bootsie Manning
Wildlife Habitat Award; Edisto River Forest Legacy Project (Emily Cope), 2002
SCWF Forest Conservation Award; and Partners for Trout Project (Dan Rankin),
2002 SCWF Wildlife Conservationist of the Year.
Mr. Chamblee then
introduced Stacy Ford, Terrea Braden, Carl Dipace, Peter Davis and Arthur
Ford, representing the Blue Crabbing Industry.
IV.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the
minutes of the November 15, 2002, meeting.
There being no corrections or additions, Dr. Leary made a motion that
the Board approve the minutes of the November 15, 2002 meeting be approved as
submitted. Ms. Holliday seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the
minutes of the December 13, 2002, meeting.
There being no corrections or additions, Dr. Leary made a motion that
the Board approve the minutes of the December 13, 2002 meeting be approved as
submitted. Ms. Holliday seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
V.
Presentations/Commendations
Mr.
McTeer reported to the Board that Breck Carmichael has been awarded the job as
Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Program Coordinator. This job was
approved by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife agency directors
to work under a 3 year grant to facilitate implementation of the Northern
Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI).
Breck will remain in tis office and work throughout the southeast.
A.
Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
Dr. John Miglarese stated
that the Advisory Board’s latest meeting was mainly a strategic planning
meeting regarding their tournaments.
The Board has decided to reduce the number of tournament events from 6
to 4 and also to reorder the events.
B.
Marine
Mr.
Gregg reported that the Marine Advisory Committee had a lengthy discussion
about Blue Crabs and the recommendation of the Blue Crab Citizens Committee
(recommendations attached to original minutes). Mr. Gregg described the make-up of the Citizens Committee to
the Board as recreational crabbers, commercial crabbers, research scientists
and Department staff. Mr. Gregg
noted that there has been a consensus on most of the recommendations sent
forward to the Board for consideration.
Mr. Gregg then asked David Whitaker to present to the Board the
recommendations of the Citizens Committee and the Marine Advisory Committee
and inform the Board which items were agreed upon and which still needs some
attention. Chairman Lesesne then
asked to hear from individuals representing the crabbing industry. Mr. Petey Davis then shared with the Board the industry’s
view on several of the recommendations.
After much discussion, Mr. Gregg made a motion that DNR propose legislation
immediately to freeze the number of commercial licenses based on commercial
licenses of December 17, 2002.
The proposed moratorium would extend from July 1, 2003 through July 1, 2004
with DNR having the discretion to extend the moratorium, if appropriate, from
July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005 to finish the study.
Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr.
Gregg made a motion that staff report to the Board in February, based on
discussions and based on the deliberations by the different committees,
recommendations on legislation to move forward this year and also to come back
with a recommendation on the public review and study process for the items
that are more long-term. Dr.
Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
C.
Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy Vang reported that a
subcommittee is examining revisions needed for the Drought Response Act and
the State Water Plan. These
should be provided to the Board in May or June.
Mr. Vang asked Von Snelgrove to present the Diversity Report as
approved by the Land, Water and Conservation Division Advisory Committee.
Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board adopt the Diversity Report as
presented. Mr. Ford seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously (recommendation attached to original
minutes).
D.
Law
Enforcement
Dr. Leary reported that the
Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received a briefing from Dave Wielicki on
SC Waterfowl. Dr. Leary noted
that to date DNR Law Enforcement has over $275,000 in federal grants and are
continuing to apply for more. A
third pilot has been hired through federal funds and 34 vehicles have been
purchased through federal funds.
Dr. Leary informed the Board that 32 DLEO’s have been trained to work with
Homeland Security. Dr. Leary
announced that Kristi Lumley and Paul Michael Thomas have been detailed to
Governor’s Security. Dr. Leary
shared with the Board some goals of the Law Enforcement Division:
better weaponry for Homeland Security; Take One Make One Program; and
an Honor Guard. Dr. Leary
reported that the Law Enforcement Division is down by 54 officers.
E. Conservation
Education and Communications
Mr. Ford reported that the Conservation Education and Communications
Advisory Committee met on January 10.
Gail Proctor gave a report on holiday sales; Carole Collins gave a
report on funds received form the Hampton fund; and Jim Goller gave a status
report on the upcoming Palmetto Sportsmens’ Clasic.
Mr. Ford noted that the CEC Advisory Committee will hold their next
meeting on March 28 and members will be working at the PSC.
VII.Executive Session
At this
time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to
discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve the agency head planning stage as
amended. Mr. Ford seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District
Commissioners as submitted. Mr.
Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District
Commissioner Emeritus’ as submitted.
Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Department move forward with the acquisition of
Pine Island from The Nature Conservancy for no more than TNC’s purchasing
price after reconfirming the values by separate appraisal. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried
unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Department move forward on appraisal and possible
future acquisition of a targeted tract of land in Congressional District Six,
Sumter County. Mr. Ford seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve the Department to name a marsh
impoundment for a former DNR employee.
Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr.
Leary made a motion that the Board approve spending up to $100,000 from the
Colonial Pipeline Restoration Project for appraisals and surveys and for
possible future easements on property in that area.
Mr. Ford seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
IX.
Items for Board Action
Governor’s Cup Annual Report
Mr.
Gregg made a motion that the Board approve the Governor’s Cup Annual Report as
submitted. Dr. Leary seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
X.
Items for Board Information
Aquatic Plant Management
Mr.
Vang presented the Aquatic Plant Management Plan to the Board for information
and reviewed the option for the treatment of hydrilla on Lake Murray.
It has been decided by the Aquatic Plant Management Council that grass
carp will be used in Lake Murray.
Lexington County, Richland County and the Corps of Engineers have provided
funding for these carp. The Board
then had a lengthy discussion on the hydrilla issue and its treatment at Lake
Murray.
XI.
Director’s Briefings
Dr.
Sandifer reminded the Board that the DNR Legislative Reception is schedule for
January 22 at 8:00 pm, or immediately following the Governor’s State of the
State Address.
Dr.
Sandifer informed the Board that he is scheduled to appear before
Representative Koon’s Ways and Means Subcommittee on January 22.
Dr.
Sandifer reported to the Board that he has organized a habitat task force with
Barry Beasley as coordinator.
Development and National Affairs
John Frampton reported that there will be a Donnelley transfer dedication on
February 2.
Legislative Report
Derrick Meggie reported on the current status of the
Department’s legislation. Mr.
Meggie also reported on legislation of concern to the Department.
XII.
Time and Location of the Next Meeting
Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on
Friday, February 21, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building in Columbia,
beginning at 9:30 a.m.
XIII.
Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this
time, the meeting was adjourned.