Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

McClellanville Town Hall

McClellanville, South Carolina

Friday, January 25, 2002

9:30 a.m.

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, January 25, 2002, at the Town Hall in McClellanville, South Carolina.  Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media.  Chairman Dr. Joab Lesesne presided at the meeting.   Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday Jr., Malloy McEachin, Jr., and Dr. Douglas Rucker.  Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

       I. Call to Order

Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

     II. Meditation

         Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.

 

     III. Introduction of Guests

Mr. Chamblee introduced Greg Frampton, retired director of SC Department of Revenue; Angela Viney, Executive Director of SC Wildlife Federation; Hank Stallworth, Governor’s Office; Jimmy Leland, member of the Marine Advisory Committee; John Dulude and John Inabinet, Santee Cooper; and Carl Cooper, member of the Red Drum Advisory Panel of NMFS.

 

     IV. Executive Session

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an executive session to discuss contractual matters. 

 

V. Return to Regular Session

The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting. 

 

Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the release of $600,000 from the Reedy River Restoration Plan for Section 2A under the document relating to water quality for the restoration of the Reedy River.  Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

VI.  Constituent Comments

Mr. Chamblee introduced Mr. George Venturella and asked him to address the Board.  Mr. Venturella’s comments were directed toward the legalization of trapping coyotes and placing them in fox pens as outlined in H. 4415.

 

Mr. Chamblee introduced Mr. Gerrit Jöbsis and asked him to address the Board.  Mr. Jöbsis’ comments were directed toward water quality issues of the Lower Saluda River, specifically requesting DHEC to review the DO standard for the Lower Saluda.

 

Mr. Chamblee introduced Angela Viney and asked her to address the Board.  Ms. Viney’s comments were directed toward ideas currently under development by interested groups and organizations, for generating revenue for the Department of Natural Resources.

 

    VII. Approval of Minutes

Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the December 14, 2001, meeting. Mr. Gregg made a motion that the minutes of the December 14, 2001, meeting be approved as submitted. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

   VIII. Presentations/Commendations

Freddy Vang asked Barry Beasley to present the Stewardship Development Awards to this year’s recipients, Kiawah Island Preserve and Baxter Village.  Mr. Beasley then briefly described the stewardship practices of each award winning site.

 

Dr. Sandifer commended staff who were involved in the appreciation ceremony at Santee Coastal Reserve yesterday.

 

Dr. Sandifer thanked staff who assisted in the first field meeting of the National Commission on Ocean Policy in Charleston on January 13-15.

 

Dr. Sandifer announced that on March 26, the Marine Artificial Reef Program will receive a Coastal America National Partnership Award

 

Dr. Sandifer announced that Dr. Charles Barans received a Partnering in the Ocean Award.

 

     IX. Advisory Committee Reports

               A. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Ms. Holliday was unable to attend the last meeting and asked Breck Carmichael to present the report.  Mr. Carmichael reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on December 6, in Columbia.  Mr. Carmichael stated that the Advisory Committee received updates on the proposed aquaculture legislation, the Conservation Bank Act, the drought, and the designs for the new endangered species tag.

 

Chairman Lesesne reported that the proposed aquaculture legislation passed by the Board, during their conference call on December 14, 2001, did not contain some necessary changes recommended by the legal office.  Chairman Lesesne noted that all Board members have been contacted by the staff regarding these changes and requested that the minutes acknowledge that the Board was aware of these changes.

 

B.     Law Enforcement

Dr. Leary reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met January 9, in Columbia.  The Advisory Committee received an update on vacancies in the Law Enforcement Division, some resulting from retirement incentives.  Dr. Leary noted that even though mileage has been cut, 4,000 more cases have been made thus far in 2001 then in 2000.  Dr. Leary stated that the Law Enforcement Division will apply for a $300,000 federal grant under the Homeland Security Program.  Dr. Leary reported that there were 75 employees from the Department involved in efforts to assist the public on highways during the recent snowstorm.  The Hunter Ed CD Rom Project was presented to the Advisory Committee.

 

C.     Conservation Education and Communications

Mr. Ford reported that the Conservation Education and Communications Advisory Committee met on January 11, in Columbia.  The Advisory Committee discussed the Palmetto Sportsmens’ Classic.  Items discussed were ways to save money and vendor participation.  The Advisory Committee received a report on product sales.

      X. Items for Board Information

A.      Hunter Education CD Rom Project

Sgt. Karen Swink presented and briefly reviewed the Hunter Education CD Rom.  Sgt. Swink noted that up until now Hunter Ed has only been available through classroom instruction.  This CD allows a student to read through chapters, see video and take quizzes at their convenience.  A student must receive an 80% in each chapter to be able to take the SC Hunter Education Test.

 

               B. DNR-Santee Cooper Aquatic Plant Management Agreement

Ed Duncan reviewed the steps taken by the Department and Santee Cooper, both internally and together, to reach this Agreement.  Mr. Duncan also reviewed the Aquatic Plant and Habitat Management Goals for the Santee Cooper Lakes. (copy attached to original minutes)

 

     XI. Items for Board Action

               A. Rescinding the DNR Radar Line Policy

John Miglarese asked Robert Boyles to provide an overview of the steps taken to reach the determination that the DNR Radar Line Policy be rescinded.  The recommendation is to rescind DNR Board Policy 601.01 and delegate to the DNR agency Director the DNR Board’s authority to delineate certain areas in the territorial sea with discrete coordinates which will define areas that the Department may, under certain conditions, open to early season shrimp trawling (as allowed under Section 50-5-85, SC Codes of Laws-1976, as amended).  Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board approve rescinding DNR Board Policy 601.01 and delegate authority as above.  Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

               B. Broad River Mitigation Fund

Dick Christie reviewed the request use $33,000 from the Broad River Mitigation Fund to supplement the Piedmont Stream Survey on the Broad River basin.  Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the request.  Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

    XII. Director’s Briefing

Dr. Sandifer participated in a meeting of the Governor’s Homeland Security Council in Rock Hill on December 17.  Dr. Sandifer also reported on efforts regarding Homeland Security.

 

Dr. Sandifer noted that there are 113 vacancies Department wide.

 

Dr. Sandifer attended the unveiling ceremony for Senator John Drummond’s portrait, which will be hung in the Senate Chambers.

 

Dr. Sandifer reported that the ruling from the SC Supreme Court in the Knotts vs. DNR case was received on January 7.

 

Dr. Sandifer reminded the Board that the legislative reception will be held January 29, at the State Museum in Columbia.

 

Dr. Sandifer informed the Board that the IAFWA Federal Budget meeting will be held in Washington on February 13 and 14.

 

Dr. Sandifer reported that he has been notified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service that they have drafted and submitted a Federal Register notice regarding extended seasons for waterfowl.

 

Dr. Sandifer appeared before the Ways and Means Subcommittee regarding the Department’s budget request.  The Subcommittee recommended approval of the budget request.

 

XIII.   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.

 

  XIV. Deputy Directors’ Reports

               A. Marine

David Whitaker gave a brief review of the 2001 recreational and commercial shrimp seasons.  Mr. Whitaker also gave a report on the Loggerhead Turtle population and increasing the size of TED’s.

 

B.     Land, Water and Conservation

Mr. Vang reported on the hurricane predictions for the upcoming season.

 

C.     Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Nothing further to report. 

 

D.     Law Enforcement

Col. Wright expressed condolences in the passing of Sgt. Martin North of the Charleston Unit.  Col. Wright shared with the Board a letter from the Highway Patrol thanking DNR officers and staff for their assistance during the recent snowstorm.  Col. Wright then reviewed some cases made during the past two months.  Col. Wright asked Lt. Scott Powell to inform the Board of a recent case made on the coast.

 

E.     Conservation Education and Communications and Administrative Services

Carole Collins distributed copies of the Jocassee Newsletter to the Board.  Mr. McTeer informed the Board that the Emergency Regulations are included in the newsletter, not the permanent regulations as passed previously by the Board.  Ms. Collins announced that Linda Renshaw has been promoted to Editor of Wildlife Magazine.  Ms. Collins updated the Board on recent moves within the two divisions.

 

   XV. Executive Session

At this time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal, and contractual matters.

 

  XVI. Return to Regular Session

The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting. 

 

Chairman Lesesne stated that no items discussed in executive session required Board action.

 

XVIII.  Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The February meeting will be held Friday, February 15, 2002, at the Marine Center Auditorium in Charleston, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

 

The March meeting will be held March 22 in conjunction with the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, in Columbia.

 

  XIX. Adjournment

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.