The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010, 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 Mike McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Board member Frank Murray’s absence was excused. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman, Michael Campbell, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced David Chesnutt, South Carolina Youth Shooting Foundation; Henry Eldridge, South Carolina Youth Shooting Foundation; Tom Milliken, Coastal Conservation Association; Representative Jeff Duncan; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Constituent Comments
   Chairman McShane invited Representative Duncan to comment. Representative Duncan informed the Board that he plans to run for Congress. Representative Duncan stated that he appreciates the way the Department and the Board have worked with him in providing information and results from public input so that he can make informed decisions. He encouraged the Department to continue to foster a positive relationship with the General Assembly.
6. Presentations
   Chairman McShane informed the Board that David Chesnutt requested the opportunity to make a presentation to the Board. Mr. Chesnutt gave the Board a history and an update of the youth shooting sports program and their partnership with DNR. Mr. Chesnutt stated that South Carolina has the fastest growing youth shooting program in the country with 377 participants. Mr. Chesnutt spoke of the diversity of the Board of Directors and how the partnership with DNR has been an integral part of the program’s success.
7. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the December 10, 2009, meeting minutes. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the December 10, 2009, meeting, as submitted. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Bob VanDolah on his receipt of the Water Resources Award from the SC Wildlife Federation.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Neil Bartley on his receipt of the Merit Award from the SC Soil and Water Conservation Society.
   
   Chairman McShane commended Director Frampton on his receipt of the Shot Business Person of the Year Award from Shot Business Magazine.
   
   Chairman McShane commended Billy Cates on his receipt of the SCFA’s Distinguished Service Award.
9. Legislative Update
   Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, reviewed the proposed nonresident alligator hunting fee, which raises the nonresident fee from $100 (currently the same as resident fee) to $200. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the proposed nonresident alligator hunting fee legislation as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Meggie also reported on the following proposed legislation: surface water withdrawal permitting; chapter 9 reformat multi-year/apprentice license/3-day nonresident elimination; deer hunting act of 2010; timber harvest procedures; and weak fish. At this time the Board had a brief discussion regarding the framework for turkey season. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board support the current framework for turkey season. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Advisory Committee Reports
    1. Migratory Waterfowl
       Chairman McShane informed the Board that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee will meet March 3.
    2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Stephen Davis reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met January 12 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received presentations on the proposed new Deer Harvest Management Program; changes to the Urban Deer Management Guidelines; and the status of coyotes. The Advisory Committee received updates on bald eagle recovery, the possible formation of a Largemouth Bass Stakeholder Group; and legislation.
    3. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met January 20. The Advisory Committee received updates on the Law Enforcement Division activities during the past quarter; legislation; budget issues; and Region 2 activities.
11. Items for Board Information
    1. Climate Update
       Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
    2. Progress on Comprehensive Deer Management Legislative Proposal
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the first draft of the New Deer Harvest Management Program for South Carolina, as included in the Board meeting package. The Board requested that nonresident data, the possibility of a January 2 closing date and ADQP information be included in next month’s meeting package.
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, informed the Board that the Woodruff-Roebuck Water District and its consultant went through Spartanburg County’s Legislative Delegation to submit a draft letter to be submitted to the regulatory agencies for Director Frampton’s signature, indicating that DNR would remove its opposition to the proposed Ferguson Creek water reservoir. Director Frampton’s reply to the Spartanburg County Legislative Delegation stated that he had to respectfully decline, due to the fact that DNR, as well as other resource agencies, believe that an Environmental Impact Study needs to be completed. Mr. Perry reported that a Saltwater Mitigation Bank (Clydesdale Club Mitigation Bank) has been proposed in Jasper County. DNR has taken the position of opposing the breaching of a current managed wetland, not opposing the need for mitigation. Mr. Perry stated that a comment letter has been sent to DHEC on the Saluda Hydroelectric Project 401 Water Quality Certification Application which is consistent with the recommendation made to FERC. Mr. Perry informed the Board that a letter was sent to the Corps of Engineers regarding the proposed beach renourishment on Hilton Head. Mr. Perry noted that a consultation letter was sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service regarding shortnose sturgeon in the Santee River Basin. DOE has released a draft EIS concerning the long-term storage of elemental mercury. Seven sites around the country were examined, including SRS. The draft EIS’ preferred alternative is in Texas. The opinion of staff is that SRS suffers from enough contamination without adding more.
13. Constituent Comment
    Ann Timberlake, Executive Director, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, distributed and reviewed the 2010 South Carolina Conservation Common Agenda Priorities. Ms. Timberlake also announced that the scgreengov website will be launched soon. This website will profile the gubernatorial candidates and allow them to publish their vision for a clean and healthy future for South Carolina.
14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    Outreach and Support Services
    Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reported on the 2010 license renewal mailer.
15. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton informed the Board that their Statement of Economic Interest forms are due by April 15.
    
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a budget update, reporting on the budget hearing during the House Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting on January 27.
16. Item for Board Action
    South Carolina Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Focus Area Plan
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that that the Board adopt the South Carolina Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Focus Area Plan. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Pulliam made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal, contractual and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

18. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Evans made a motion to approve the transfer of $2,000,000 from the Heritage Trust Revenue Fund to the Heritage Land Trust Fund. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board adopt the Resolution in honor of the late Grady Patterson, with the correction noted. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    RESOLUTION
    HONORING THE LATE GRADY L. PATTERSON, JR.
    South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Board
    
    Whereas, the late Grady L. Patterson, Jr. was a distinguished public servant of the people of the State of South Carolina for his entire adult life, having defended the freedoms of the people of his state and country by joining the Army Air Force in 1942 and serving with distinction as a fighter pilot in World War II, and continuing that service in the S.C. Air National Guard and was placed on active duty in the Korean War and the Berlin Conflict, retiring as a Lieutenant General; and
    
    Whereas, among his many accomplishments, Grady L. Patterson, Jr. served South Carolina for thirty years as its State Treasurer, which was the longest serving State Treasurer in the country, scrupulously protecting the State’s AAA bond rating and continually seeking ways to serve the financial needs of the State and its people, while maintaining fiscal responsibility at the State level, not only through the Office of the State Treasurer, but through his long service as a member on the State Budget and Control Board; and
    
    Whereas, the Department of Natural Resources wishes to honor the late Grady L. Patterson, Jr. who departed this life on December 7, 2009, at the age of 85 for his special contributions to the Heritage Land Trust Program administered by the members of the Board of this Department, who serve as its Trustees; and
    
    Whereas, through Mr. Patterson’s leadership, the General Assembly adopted 2006 Act No. 251, which authorized the Department to issue special source revenue bonds to acquire lands which needed to be preserved for future generations, and he crafted a revenue source for the repayment of these bonds by having the General Assembly authorize the pledging of the portion of deed recording fees previously set aside for the Heritage Land Trust as the source of funding for this program; and
    
    Whereas, the first revenue bonds were issued in 2006, and through his efforts and active support in 2006, the Heritage Land Trust Program was able to use these bond funds to acquire by purchase, along with The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund, the unique 25,688-acre Woodbury tract along the Pee Dee River in Marion County and the 13,281-acre Hamilton Ridge tract in Hampton County.
    
    NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on this 28th day of January 2010, wishes to express its appreciation for the life and service of former State Treasurer Grady L. Patterson, Jr. and for his contributions to the preservation of the natural habitats in South Carolina for future generations of South Carolinians.
    
    _______________________________     __________________________________
    John E. Frampton                                        Michael G. McShane
    Director                                                       Chairman
    SC Department of Natural Resources          SC Department of Natural Resources Board
    
    

19. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The February Board meeting will be held Friday, February 12, 2010, at Edisto State Park.
    
    The March Board meeting will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Columbia.
    
20. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.