SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Chaplain Dave Tafaoa, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SC LEAP), offered the invocation.

Mr. Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Pulliam welcomed and thanked Board members for being present. Chairman Pulliam expressed his appreciation to Director Boyles and staff for keeping business going during this difficult time.

Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, introduced Wendell Reilley, Dewees Island; Jimmy Smith, Dewees Island; Alex Klios, Dewees Island; Jason Brown, Dewees Island; Scott Whitaker, Coastal Conservation Association; and Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors Association.

Mrs. Cope informed the Board that Jason Brown, Alex Kliros, Jimmy Smith, Brett Bower and Bryan Hann have requested to make comments to the Board. All comments were regarding the Dewees Island Short Term Rental Framework Proposal.

Dewees Island Short Term Rental Framework Proposal
Mr. Reilly reviewed the Dewees Island Short Term Rental Framework Proposal along with the results of the recently conducted straw poll.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the DNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(2) to discuss contractual matters related to Items for Board Action (A). Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

1. Dewees Island
   Shannon Bobertz, General Counsel, read a draft resolution
   
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the DNR Board accept and approve the resolution as read. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Approved resolution attached to the minutes.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the February 18, 2021 meeting minutes. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the February 18, 2021 meeting be approved as revised on March 15, 2021. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

1. Director Boyles commended Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, on serving on the Board of Directors of Sustain SC which launched on March 9, 2021, with a mission to connect the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local natural resource solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people.
   
   
2. Director Boyles commended Dr. Hope Mizzell and Melissa Griffin of the Office of State Climatologist, Land, Water & Conservation Division, for coordinating Governor McMaster’s Proclamation proclaiming March 14-20, 2021, as South Carolina Citizen Weather Observer Week throughout the state and encouraging all South Carolinians to join him in celebrating the volunteers for their efforts in contributing data that stands as the cornerstone of our state and nation’s weather history.
   
   
3. Director Boyles commended Ryan Tyler of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division on his selection as their 2020 Wildlife Section Technician of the Year. Ryan Tyler works at Bonneau Ferry in Berkeley County and with the challenges presented with COVID-19, Ryan and his colleagues stepped up to have a productive summer and fall planting season and conducted public lottery hunts with the highest degree of professionalism while following COVID protocols. Fall 2020 was one of the best deer seasons for Bonneau Ferry in many years, thanks to Ryan’s working magic with the tractor around all the challenging weather conditions.
   
   
4. Director Boyles commended Jessica Kinsella and Matt King of the Marine Resources Division for starting up a prescribed fire program within the MRD, and Andrew Hook of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for significant assistance with planning and on-the-ground oversight. This will increase our capacity to manage habitats on South Fenwick and potentially other islands in the future.
   
   
5. Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement Dive Team members LCPL Josh Walters, LCPL Matt Owen, INV Daniel Lynch, and INV Dwayne Rogers and K9Team LCPL Blake Baxley and K9 Arya. The SC DNR Dive Team was called out to assist the West Columbia Police Department on the Saluda River. The Police Department was requesting the dive team’s help to try and recover any evidence. The SC DNR K9 Team received a call to search the area adjacent to the river to try and locate any evidence helpful in the case. The SC DNR Dive Team arrived on scene and began preparing for their search. The K9 Team arrived shortly after and K9 Arya began the search of the land adjacent to the river. It took K9 Arya seven minutes to locate a single shell casing under the root ball of a tree along the side of the riverbank. The location of the shell casing led the dive team to believe the handgun had to be in the water. The dive team began searching the area using metal detectors. The water was about four feet deep in that area. The dive team was able to locate the handgun. This was a great example of the expertise of each of these DNR teams working together to assist another agency.
   
   
6. Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement staff in the Horry/Georgetown units for their hard work regarding the flooding issues in their area.

1. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
   Phil Maier, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met virtually on February 23, 2021. The Advisory Board received a report from the Tournament Committee, a fundraising update on the Highway 21 Bridge Project. The Advisory Board approved the 2021 proposed expenditures and the 2020 Annual Report, as presented by staff.
   
   
2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met March 4, 2021 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee approved the 2021-2022 Migratory Bird Season as recommended by staff. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the protection and enhancement of the habitat of Gopher tortoise on Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve; an overview of DNR’s Hatchery infrastructure and needed improvements; an update on Sunday hunting and legislation.

1. Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, spoke of the possible severe weather forecasted for today. Dr. Mizzell provided rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflow, lake levels, groundwater monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.
   
   
2. Use of Prescribed Fire on DNR Properties
   Johnny Stowe, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, gave the Board a brief presentation on the Use of Prescribed Fire on SC DNR Properties. The presentation included the history and benefits of prescribed fire, as well as the areas receiving prescribed burning from 2017-2020.
   
   
3. Overview of Category 1 Waterfowl Management Activities
   Mrs. Cope gave the Board a brief overview of Category 1 Waterfowl Management Activities. The presentation included the 2020 Accomplishments for Broad River, Clemson, Bear Island, Wateree, Beaverdam, Sandy Beach, Santee Coastal Reserve, Murphy Island and Cedar Island. Mrs. Cope reviewed renovations and accomplishments at Santee Delta, Samworth, Lower Middleton and Upper Middleton.

Director Boyles reminded the Board that their Statement of Economic Interest form is due to the Ethics Commission by March 30, 2021.

Director Boyles reported that staff will be returning to work in the office.

Director Boyles inquired of the Board's interest in participating in Adaptive Management training along with staff.

Director Boyles informed the Board that the ribbon cutting of the Horry County Licensing and Boat Titling and Registration Office, located in Aynor, will be held on April 5, 2021.

Director Boyles reviewed the status of the FY 2022 budget request, as sent to the Board on March 16, 2021.

Kevin Ryan, Director of Government Affairs, reported that the Senate is working remotely, and the House has adjourned for the day. Mr. Ryan informed the Board that the House will begin working on the budget next week. Mr. Ryan reported on the boater education bill, hunting of bears over bait in Game Zone 4 and flounder.

Lorianne Riggin, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, gave the Board an update on Crab Bank restoration, Horry County Rezoning (Lewis Ocean Bay) and Haile Gold Mine Expansion.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mrs. Cope reported on zebra mussels.
2. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that background checks are being completed on the new class of officers.
   
3. Marine
   Mr. Maier informed the Board that a ground lease will be presented for action at the next meeting.
4. Administration
   Angie Cassella, Deputy Director for Administration, extended an invitation to Board Members to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Horry County Licensing and Boat titling and Registration Office.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   No further report.

2. Migratory Bird Season Recommendations
   Billy Dukes, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, briefly reviewed the Proposed Migratory Bird Season Recommendations. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that upon the recommendation of DNR Staff the DNR Board approve the Migratory Bird Season Recommendations, as presented. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the DNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss appointments to advisory committees related to Items for Board Action (C) and to discuss contractual matters related to Items for Board Action (D, E and F). Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

3. Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments Mr. Lee made a motion that upon the approval and recommendation of the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee, the DNR Board approve the following Conservation District Commissioner appointments:
   
   Daniel Baxley, Dillon – 3/18/21 – 1/31/24
   Julie Davis, McCormick – 3/18/21 – 1/31/23
   Jan Figueria, Greenwood – 3/18/21 – 1/31/24
   Kevin Yon, Saluda – 3/18/21 – 2/27/22
   Frazier D. Riley Jr., Saluda – 3/18/21 – 1/31/24
   
   Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
4. Property Acquisition in Colleton County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that upon the recommendation of staff and subject to standard due diligence, the DNR Board grant final approval to purchase approximately 148 acres beside the Edisto River WMA in Colleton County. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
5. Property Acquisition in Chester County
   Mr. Swygert made a motion that upon the recommendation of staff and subject to standard due diligence, the DNR Board grant final approval to acquire approximately 385 acres adjoining Landsford Canal WMA in Chester County. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
6. Property Acquisition in Laurens County
   Mr. Hutching made a motion that upon the recommendation of staff and subject to standard due diligence, the DNR Board grant final approval to acquire approximately 121 acres beside Belfast WMA in Laurens County. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rasor and Mr. Oxner recused themselves due to a potential conflict of interest.
   

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SC DNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss contractual matters related to Items for Board Action (C, D, E and F). Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

2. Potential Property Acquisition in Lexington County
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition of approximately 100 acres adjoining SCDNR’s Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve in Lexington County to be dedicated as a heritage preserve and placed into the corpus of the SC Heritage Trust. Additionally, this action authorizes the expenditure of up to $20,000 of Heritage Trust funds to conduct due diligence activities. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
3. Potential Property Acquisition via Donation in Chester County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the DNR Board approve the donation of the 109.48-acre portion of the Landsford Tract in Chester County from Open Space Institute to be incorporated into the Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Wildlife Management Area, conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence and satisfactory completion of the mitigation work required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
4. Potential Property Acquisition in Chester County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the DNR Board grant preliminary approval to evaluate a potential property acquisition of the 385.36-acre portion of the Landsford Tract in Chester County from Open Space Institute to be incorporated into the Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Wildlife Management Area. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
5. Potential Property Acquisition via Donation in Georgetown County
   Mr. Hinson made a motion that the DNR Board approve the acquisition, by donation from the Open Space Institute, of the Samworth Farm Tracts, consisting of 33.14 acres in Georgetown County to be incorporated into the adjacent Samworth Wildlife Management Area, conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   
6. Potential Property Acquisition in Laurens County
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the DNR Board grant preliminary approval to evaluate a potential property acquisition of the 121.58-acre portion of the White Plains Tract in Laurens County from Open Space Institute to be incorporated into the Belfast Wildlife Management Area. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   

The Board will hold a workshop on April 22, 2021.

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