SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SCLEAP, offered the invocation.

Vice Chairman Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Shannon Bobertz, Chief of Staff, introduced Chip Sharpe, SCDNR retiree; Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy; Mayor Chris Gray, Tega Cay; Rep. David O’Neal, Tega Cay; and Bob Perry, Chairman, Waterfowl Advisory Committee.

Mr. Sharpe thanked Law Enforcement and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff that assisted in the recent Outdoor Dream Foundation’s duck hunt held at Ramsey Grove.

Mayor Gray’s remarks were in support of the Urban/Suburban Deer Program Request for Tega Cay item on today’s agenda.

Rep. O’Neal’s remarks were in support of the Urban/Suburban Deer Program Request for Tega Cay item on today’s agenda.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the November 16, 2023 and December 14, 2023 Board meetings. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the minutes of the November 16, 2023 and December 14, 2023 board meetings be approved as submitted. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Commendations

Director Boyles commended Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Bear Island Duck Hunt staff who were commended in an email from a constituent who expressed his gratitude to SCDNR for the opportunity and to SCDNR Bear Island WMA staff for a great experience. He said they “went far beyond answering questions and to accommodate each and every one that hunted.”

Director Boyles commended Jason Deavers of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries who was commended for his assistance provided to an older couple who participated in a waterfowl lottery hunt at Sandy Beach. The husband said that Jason made them very comfortable and took extra time to help his wife to the blind due to high water. They were very impressed and appreciative.

Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement Region 4 Officer George Rioux who was commended by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office for his assistance with a drunk driver in Colleton County. They advised that Officer Rioux observed the motorist cross the centerline driving in the wrong lane of oncoming traffic and Officer Rioux acted swiftly to stop the driver and potentially prevent a deadly crash.

Director Boyles commended Tyler Brown of Land, Water & Conservation who has started his 2024 term as the President of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA).

Director Boyles shared photos of headquarters progress.

Duncan Crotwell, Director of Government Affairs, reported on the Duck Stamp Modernization Program, H 4820 – turkey season, H 4844 – marine recovery insurance, H 4875 – deer processors, H 4874 captive wildlife and S 955 – blue crab.

1. Land, Water and Conservation
   Tyler Brown, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met January 3, 2024 via Zoom. The Advisory Committee received a division update and approved the conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments that the Board will consider at this meeting.
2. Marine
   Blaik Keppler, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met January 12, 2024. The American Fisheries Society Fisheries Administration Section Sportfish Restoration Project Award was presented to the Game Fish Tagging Program by Gary Whelan, First Vice President, American Fisheries Society. The Advisory Committee received presentations on the tagging program.
3. Take One Make One Program
   LCPL Mark Ferrell gave the Board a brief presentation on the Take One Make One Program. The presentation included requirements to participate in the program, partnerships and showed photos from hunts. LCPL Ferrell showed the Heritage Trailer and mentioned that four smaller trailers have been designed. LCPL Ferrell informed the Board of the number of hunts and youth involved in 2022.

• Climate Update
  Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported on the recent tornado and severe weather. Dr. Mizzell reported on the December 17, 2023 coastal storm and noted that the state is drought free. Dr. Mizzell provided rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflow, lake levels, groundwater monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.
• Waterfowl
  Bob Perry, Chairman, Waterfowl Advisory Committee, reported on the activities of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee. Mr. Perry’s comments are attached to the minutes.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(2) for legal advice related to Item(s) for Board Action A. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

1. Urban/Suburban Deer program Request for Tega Cay
   Charles Ruth, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reviewed the request from Tega Cay for a permit to take additional deer. Mr. Ruth noted that staff support and recommend this be approved based on science. Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the City of Tega Cay’s request to remove a total of 160 deer through the Urban/Suburban Deer Management Program. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Policies Updates 500.02 – Family Privacy Protection Act and 700.09 – Electronic Media and Acceptable Use
   Tony D’Elia, Chief Information Security Officer, reviewed the proposed updates to the policies. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the staff updates to SCDNR Family Privacy Protection Act Policy and Electronic Media and Acceptable Use Policy. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss personnel matters related to Item(s) for Board Action C and D and SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(2) to discuss contractual matters related to Item(s) for Board Action E, F and G. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

3. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board Appointments
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the DNR Board, upon the recommendation of SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board, appoint Sean Dooley, Deidre Menefee, and Miles Herring to serve a first three-year term beginning 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2026 on the SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously
4. Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments
   Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the following conservation district commissioner appointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee - John Smoak, Charleston - 1/18/24 - 2/28/25 and Sam DuRant, Clarendon - 1/18/24 - 1/31/25 and the following conservation district commissioner reappointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee - Rebecca Davis, Barnwell - 7/5/23 - 7/5/27 and Jason Price, Saluda - 2/27/23 - 2/27/27. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Property Acquisition in Hampton and Jasper Counties
   Mr. Swygert made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of SCDNR staff and subject to standard due diligence, grant final approval to acquire approximately 3,464 acres adjoining Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve/WMA in Hampton and Jasper Counties. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Property Acquisition in Hampton and Jasper Counties
   Mr. Swygert made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of SCDNR staff and subject to standard due diligence, grant final approval to acquire approximately 3,599 acres adjoining Coosawhatchie Heritage Preserve/WMA in Hampton and Jasper Counties. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Approval of License Agreement for DESC Transmission Line on Property in McCormick County
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of SCDNR Staff, grant approval for a license to give temporary access for Dominion Energy South Carolina across the Mason Wildlife Management Area to access an existing transmission line corridor that needs to be rebuilt for safety and reliability. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board will hold a teleconference meeting on February 15, 2024.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.