The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 2:00 p.m., February 15, 2013, in the Marine Resources Division classroom, Charleston, 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, 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 at 2:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Sam Hiott, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund; and Brett Hubler, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael noted that there were no requests for constituent comment.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the January 24, 2013, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the January 24, 2013, meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Sam Hiott, representing the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, presented the Department with a symbolic check in the amount of $167,850 for 2013 projects. This brings the total project funding to $2,898,930.
   
   Director Taylor commended Lt. Billy Downer and staff who assisted with the 2013 Southeast Hunter Education Coordinators meeting hosted by DNR in Charleston on January 22-24.
   
   Director Taylor commended Breck Carmichael, Capt. Robert McCullough, Sandy Rucker, Elizabeth Bradley and everyone involved with the DNR Legislative Reception held on the evening of January 29. Director Taylor informed the Board that numerous positive comments have been received from sponsors and legislators.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met February 7 in Charleston. The 2013 Series will be the 25th Anniversary. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the SC Memorial Reef. The Advisory Committee discussed and approved the budget and approved the annual report. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that Greg Smith will be Chairman when Ed Holder's term expires.
   2. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met February 7 at Lewis Ocean Bay. The Advisory Committee received budget and program updates and approved items that have been submitted for DNR Board approval.
   3. Land, Water and Conservation
      Mr. Rentiers reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met January 28 in Columbia. The Advisory Board received a program update and a water planning update. The Advisory Committee approved conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments that have been submitted for DNR Board approval.
9. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with a drought update and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   
10. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor reminded the board that their Statement of Economic Interests forms are due by April 15.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board of several legislative meeting throughout the month.
    
    Director Taylor participated in an IT Review Team interview.
    
11. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, reported that the House Ways and Means Committee will begin budget discussion next week. Mr. Meggie informed the Board that recommended Board member Glenn McFadden's confirmation hearing will be February 20. Mr. Meggie reported that Chapter 13 received second reading yesterday.
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: the draft Savannah River Drought Contingency Plan. Mr. Perry reported that the Draft Blue Ribbon Committee Report on Shoreline Change is available on the DHEC website, along with details on submitting public comment. The comment period is open until March 12.
13. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave an update on the hiring process. Seventeen officers are at the academy and 7 are in the field awaiting wildlife basic training. Interviews will begin Monday for the new class of 17-18 officers.
    2. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles informed the Board that CCA-South Carolina donated a 21’ Skiff for oyster restoration projects. Mr. Boyles extended an invitation for the 40th anniversary of the Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction (MARMAP) program on March 16. Mr. Boyles gave the Board an update on saltwater shore-based fishing access facilities.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief report on the February 4th DNR/DHEC Public Workshop on Water Assessments.
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries informed the Board that there were 116 participants (63 being youths) at the Palachucola Range Day. Mrs. Cope distributed the Waterfowl Season WMA results and the alligator season results.
14. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Pulliam 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.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give approval to investigate a proposed land trade within the Jocassee Gorges Natural Area in Pickens County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board give approval to investigate a potential land trade in the Eastatoe Valley area of Pickens County. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board give final approval to acquire approximately 88 acres of land adjoining Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve in Charleston County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The April Board meeting will be held Thursday, April 25, 2013.
    
    The May Board meeting will be held Wednesday Tuesday, May 22 21, 2013.
    
17. 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 February 15, 2013 (file size 90KB), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.