The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, March 18, 2016, at Seawell's, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Cary Chastain's absence was excused. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Steve Shugart, 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
   CPT Robert McCullough introduced the following guests: Tucker Creed, SC DOT and Sammy Fretwell, The State newspaper
   
5. Constituent Comments
   CPT McCullough reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the January 6, 2016, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the January 6, 2016 meeting as submitted. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Dr. Jukie Leary, Chairman, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Jim Goller, Executive Director, Hampton Wildlife Fund and other Hampton Wildlife Fund Board members presented the 2016 check for $149,100 from the Hampton Wildlife Fund to DNR.
   
   Director Taylor commended Breck Carmichael, CPT Robert McCullough, Sandy Rucker and staff across the agency who helped make the agency's 15th annual Natural Resources Legislative Reception held on the evening of January 27 an outstanding success.
   
   Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff who worked on the Second Annual DNR Youth Sporting Clay Open held at the Palmetto Shooting Sports Complex in Edgefield on Saturday, March 5.
   
   Director Taylor commended Emily Cope and staff who worked on the 75th Webb Wildlife Center Celebration event at the Webb Center in Garnett on March 11.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met February 2 at Congaree Bluff. The Advisory Committee received comments on the habitat at Samworth. The Advisory Committee approved the migratory waterfowl recommendations. The Advisory Committee received reports from the Aquatic Plant Management Council; the three year study of the Saluda River trout fishery; legislation and dove survey. Mr. Hutchins noted that the Advisory Committee approved the migratory water recommendation, as included in the Board packet, but, based on the dove survey, he would like the Board to consider reducing the limit of dove from 15 to 12. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the 2016-17 migratory waterfowl seasons as included in the Board packet with the following amendment: reduction of dove bag limit from 15 to 12. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, Mr. Hutchins withdrew his motion.
   2. Heritage Trust
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met February 4 at the Lexington 2 Fine Arts Facility in West Columbia. The facility is being used as the holding/cleaning site for several archeological artifacts and documents that were damaged by the recent flooding event. The Advisory Committee received a report on Capers Island and the Kolb site archaeological dig. The Advisory Committee approved the Henderson Heritage Preserve acquisitionwhich is on the agenda for the Board's consideration.
   3. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Pulliam reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met February 25 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee discussed real time communications; approved the budget and the 2015 annual report.
   4. Law Enforcement
      Mr. Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met February 23 at Styx. The Advisor Committee reviewed the Law Enforcement Division's 2015 accomplishments. The Advisory Committee received updates on Region 4 activities and the shooting sports program.
   5. Migratory Waterfowl
      Chairman McFadden reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met March 3 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received a legislative update. Chairman McFadden informed the Board that Scot Storm has been commissioned for the 2016-17 Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. The 2015-16 original was on display at the meeting. Craig LeShack, Ducks Unlimited, gave the Advisory Committee a presentation on the Ontario waterfowl habitat.
   6. Marine
      David Whitaker, Assistant Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met March 11 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received presentations on SC shrimp baiting fishery; offshore snapper/grouper fishery and the history and details of vessel operations.
9. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Dr. Mizzell reported rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
10. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor informed the Board that this has been a busy legislative year and they are currently having budget presentations.
    
    Director Taylor noted that he attended the House Agriculture Subcommittee for discussion of dam safety legislation.
    
    Director Taylor reported that the grand opening of the DNR Regional Midlands Express License Office at the State Farmers Market was held on January 29.
    
    Director Taylor noted that he attended a North Carolina Flood Model Demonstration.
11. Legislative Report
    CPT Mike Sabaka briefly reported that the deer management bill (H 9493) passed with a vote of 94-8. CPT Sabaka reported on the grass carp bill (S454) and the cobia bills (H 4709 and S 984).
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, reported that he had no further report on environmental programs, but wanted to inform the Board that the recommendations of the Aquatic Plant Management Council have been approved and no carp will be stocked in the Lake Moutrie - Lake Marion system.
13. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Item(s) for Board Action
    1. Approval of the use of Steven's Creek Mitigation Trust Funds
       Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the proposed project entitled: Determining Fishery Enhancement Potential in Stevens Creek Reservoir of South Carolina and Georgia and the release of $150,000 from the Stevens Creek Fisheries Mitigation Trust Fund for this project. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Approval of Acquisition of the Browder Tract Adjacent to Henderson Heritage Preserve
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition of the Browder Tract (approximately 69.7 acres) which is adjacent to the Henderson Heritage Preserve in Aiken County. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Request for Expenditure of Carolina Heelsplitter Mitigation Funds
       Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of $120,000 from the Mitigation Trust Fund of South Carolina, Haile Gold Mine Mitigation Carolina Heelsplitter Subaccount to initiate Carolina Heelsplitter management and recovery activities. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    4. Proposed 2016-2017 Migratory Waterfowl Seasons
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board amend agenda item D from Proposed 2016-2017 Migratory Waterfowl Seasons to Proposed 2016-17 Migratory Bird Seasons due to exigent circumstances regarding the need to take action on Mourning Dove recommendations. The mourning dove recommendations need to be included in the Department's migratory bird seasons recommendations that will be sent to the USFWS so they may set federal regulations.
       
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Proposed 2016-17 Migratory Bird Seasons as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion to amend the mourning dove bag limit from 15 to 12. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Proposed 2016-17 Migratory Bird Seasons as amended. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    5. Requests for Funds from the Reedy River Restoration Mitigation Trust Fund
       Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of Reedy River Mitigation Trust Funds in the amount of $530,000 to help acquire 589 acres adjoining the Cliff Pitts WMA in Laurens County. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The April meeting of the Board will be held Thursday, April 21 in the Columbia area.
    
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 March 21, 2016 (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.