SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Location
Teleconference Meeting
DateFebruary 15, 2024
Time 10:00 a.m.

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m., February 15, 2024 by teleconference. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Norman Pulliam presided at the meeting. Board members present included Mike Hutchins, Jerry Lee, Carlisle Oxner, Jake Rasor, Jr., and Duane Swygert. Board member Dr. Mark Hartley’s absence was excused. Director Boyles and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

I.
Call to Order

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

II.
Advisory Committee Report

Blaik Keppler, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met January 19, 2024. The Advisory Board reviewed the 2023 final revenue and expenditures. The Advisory Board received an overview of the 2024 sponsorship packet. A motion was made and passed regarding updates and changes to the 2024 contractual agreement, which are on this meeting’s agenda.

III.
Item(s) for Board Action
  1. Request for Use – Proposed Palmetto Trail License at Wateree River Heritage Preserve
    Fran Varacalli, Office of Environmental Programs, reviewed the proposal as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board accept the recommendation from the Heritage Trust Advisory Board and grant final approval to The Palmetto Conservation Foundation for permission to cross over and upon Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area to design, construct and maintain a walking/hiking trail known as the Palmetto Trail. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
IV.
Executive Session

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

V.
Open Session

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

VI.
Item(s) for Board Action
  1. Request Ratification of Updates to the 2024 SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Contractual Agreement to Clarify Language Related to Points, Violations and Documentation
    Mr. Oxner made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of the SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board, ratify the updates to the SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Contractual Agreement to reflect the proposed clarifying language changes regarding points, violations, and documentation. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
  2. Request Ratification to the 2024 SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Contractual Agreement to Change the Weather Rule Regarding Eligible Tournament Fishing Days
    Mr. Oxner made a motion that the SCDNR Board reject the updates to the SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Contract thus keeping the current weather rule in place. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
  3. Property Acquisition in Charleston County
    Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board accept the recommendation from the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant final approval of the donation of approximately 175 acres in Charleston County to be dedicated as a Heritage Preserve and placed into the corpus of the Heritage Trust, conditional upon the successful completion of due diligence. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

    Mr. Hutchins made a motion to clarify the previous motion to reflect that this is a part of Botany Bay Heritage Preserve. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
  4. Request Ratification of Updates to the 2024 SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Contractual Agreement to Clarify Language Related to Points, Violations and Documentation
    Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board accept the recommendation from the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant final approval to expend $85,000 in Heritage Trust Land Funds to acquire approximately 32 acres in Greenville County that will be dedicated as a Heritage Preserve and placed into the corpus of the Heritage Trust as a part of the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve, conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously
VII.
Time and Location of Next Board Meeting

The Board’s next scheduled meeting is March 22, 2024.

VIII.
Adjournment

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


The SCDNR Board Minutes for February 15, 2024 (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.


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