The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 2:00 pm, January 21, 2014, 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 John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Glenn McFadden, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman John Evans 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
   Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Doug Young, Lake Hartwell Association; Paul McKee, Trout Unlimited, SC Council; Jim Hopkins, Trout Unlimited, SC Council; Meta Armstrong, Trout Unlimited, SC Council; Shawn Kenney, Trout Unlimited, SC Council; Jeremiah Davis, Trout Unlimited, SC Council; Mike Waddell; Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy; Scott Whitaker, CCA; Jason Johnson, Conservation Fund; Joey Holleman, The State; and Sarita Chourey, Savannah Morning News.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that Doug Young, Lake Hartwell Association, has requested to make comments to the Board. Mr. Young's comments were relative to population growth, water supply, the creation of a cabinet level State Water Authority and the State Water Plan.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the November 21, 2013, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the November 21, 2013, meeting as submitted. Caroline Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   The South Carolina Council of Trout Unlimited presented its 2013 Palmetto Trout Award to Lorianne Riggin for her continued work with Trout in the Classroom.
   
8. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state. Dr. Mizzell also commented on the recent cold weather.
   
9. Director's Briefings
   The new deadline for the Statement of Economic Interests form is March 30 not April 15.
   
   The Board was given a brief update on the Budget.
   
   Director Taylor met with Representative Bill Hixon and Georgia legislators about the SC/GA Boaters compact.
   
   Director Taylor met with Emily Cope and staff to discuss game zones.
   
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, informed the Board that Director Taylor was selected as the 2013 State Recipient of the Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
10. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that recent activity has concentrated on deer, turkey and game zone legislation.
11. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Haile Gold Mine project, Horry County paving International Drive adjacent to Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority.
12. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the MOU with Clemson University to assist with gathering stakeholder input for the State Water Assessment has been signed. Mr. Rentiers reported on the status of the Savannah River Basin Study. Mr. Rentiers distributed the Heritage Trust Revenue statement.
    2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported on the recently held private land hunts. Mrs. Cope reported on the two cormorant control program training sessions that have been held and noted there is one additional session scheduled. Mrs. Cope gave the Board a brief personnel update.
    3. Law Enforcement
       Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that 19 new hires were sworn in last week. This class brings the number of officers to 249. Col. Frampton informed the Board of a search and rescue in Georgetown County.
    4. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles reviewed the 2013-14 commercial shrimp and shellfish season, noting that commercial shrimp season was closed on January 13. Mr. Boyles reported on the SC Memorial Reef construction and deployment.
    5. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board an update on the phone app noting that testing of the beta model will begin in February. Mr. Winslow also informed the Board that lifetime licenses should be a card type license by the end of February.
13. 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.
14. Open Session
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The time and location of the next meeting will be determined at a later date.
    
16. 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 21, 2014 (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.