The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, March 19, 2015, at the National Wild Turkey Federation Headquarters, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, 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 Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis 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 Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McFadden offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, introduced the following guests: Greg Henderson, SC Association of Conservation Districts; Dwight Davis, SC Association of Conservation Districts; Lynn Lewis-Weis, National Wild Turkey Federation; Yvonne Kling, Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District; Linda Lee, Aiken Soil and Water Conservation District; Doug Saunders, National Wild Turkey Federation; Dave Mahlke, National Wild Turkey Federation; and George Thornton, National Wild Turkey Federation.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Director Taylor introduced George Thornton, CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation. Mr. Thornton introduced his staff and briefly reviewed NWTF membership and ongoing activities at headquarters.
   
   Mr. Boyles informed the Board that Greg Henderson has requested to address the Board. Mr. Henderson's comments were relative to the Resolutions Committee of the National Association of Conservation Districts and the Farm Bill. A resolution has been passed and forwarded about feral hogs.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the February 6, 2015, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the February 6, 2015, meeting as submitted. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended Shannon Bobertz, DNR's Chief Counsel, who was recognized by The State newspaper as one of this year's Class of "20 under 40".
   
   Director Taylor commended Investigator Greg Brown on being named one of two investigators of the year by the International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) at a conference in Mobile, Alabama.
   
   Director Taylor commended Marc Cribb, Dorothy Phillips and staff involved in the SC Association of Conservation District Annual Conservation Partnership Conference.
   
   Director Taylor congratulated DNR Board Chairman Glenn McFadden who was honored by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce and received their Lifetime Business Achievement Award.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Law Enforcement
      Norman Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met February 6 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received updates on climate, waterfowl totals, the rank and structure of the Law Enforcement Division, the Governor's budget, the hiring process, legislative issues, and budget. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on Archery and Hunter Education programs.
   2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met February 10 at Donnelley WMA. The Advisory Committee received updates on wood stork, sturgeon monitoring, the aquatic management program and legislation.
   3. Land, Water and Conservation
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met February 17, by conference call. The Advisory Committee received program and budget updates. The Advisory Committee reviewed the 2014 Accomplishments. The Advisory Committee approved conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments.
   4. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met February 18. Stokely Holder was welcomed to the Advisory Committee. Mr. Boyles noted that due to a contractual issue the Edisto Tournament will not be included in the 2015 schedule. The Advisory Committee has been asked to oversee the memorial reef program. The Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the planned expenditures for 2015.
   5. Migratory Waterfowl
      Chairman McFadden reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met March 4 in Columbia. The upcoming duck stamp print was on display. The Advisory Committee received a presentation from Ducks Unlimited. DU and DU Canada acknowledged that South Carolina has contributed to habitat conservation on the Canadian breeding grounds for 50 years.
   6. Marine
      Mr. Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met February 13 at Bennett's Point. The Advisory Committee reviewed the 2014 Accomplishments. The Advisory Committee received an overview of the ACE Basin partnerships and the Marine Resources Division. The Advisory Committee received updates on cobia and commercial licenses and permitting.
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. Item for Board Action
    1. Broad River Mitigation Trust Fund Request for Approval of Funds
       Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the request as included in the meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a made a motion that the Board approved the Broad River Mitigation Trust Fund Request for Approval of Funds as presented. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Haile Gold Mine Mitigation - Carolina Heelsplitter Restoration Budget Approval
       Ross Self, Chief of Fisheries, briefly reviewed the request as included in the meeting package and noted that any approval would be contingent to deposit into the sub account. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Haile Gold Mine Mitigation - Carolina Heelsplitter Restoration Budget Approval as presented and contingent on deposit into the sub account. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Savannah Harbor Deepening Mitigation - Sturgeon Monitoring Budget
       Mr. Self briefly reviewed the request as included in the meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Savannah Harbor Deepening Mitigation - Sturgeon Monitoring Budget as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor reported on the deer legislation and turkey legislation.
    
    Director Taylor noted that he has been involved with several legislative meetings since the last Board meeting.
    
    Director Taylor spoke to the Senate Finance Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee about DNR's budget needs.
    
    Director Taylor met with Mike Hardy of the Georgetown Coalition about waterfowl issues.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board of the upcoming events: Quail Council meeting on March 26, Harry Hampton Fund meeting on March 27, Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic March 27-29, and FLW College Fishing National Championship April 16-18.
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, gave the Board a brief report on turkey legislation, deer legislation, budget and boating issues.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry highlighted the following projects, which were contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Haile Gold Mine and I-73.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Law Enforcement
       COL Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board a brief hiring update. COL Frampton reported that 95-96 officers will be working bike week. COL Frampton also commended Investigator Greg Brown on being named one of two investigators of the year by IAMI. COL Frampton informed the Board that the Archery Tournament will be held at the Sumter Civic Center on March 25-26.
    4. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Outreach and Support Services
       Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board a brief update on turkey tags and upcoming hires for vacancies in Boating and IT.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Chastain made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the following conservation district commissioner appointments/reappointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    • Reappointments: Henry L. Nicholson, Bamberg; Rebecca H. Davis, Barnwell; William S. Simpson, Charleston; William H. Griggs, Chesterfield; I.M. Benton, Colleton; C.M. Dantzler, Jasper; W. Gordon Wells, Jasper; E. Michael O'Tuell, Marlboro; H. Heath Hill, Richland; Jason R. Price, Saluda; Ronnie Bullard, Spartanburg; Norris Fowler, Union; and Jayne D. Carsten, Williamsburg.
    • Appointments: Jimmy D. Poston, Florence; Richard B. Sansbury, Florence; Richard S. Dogan, Greenville and Jefferson B. Laney, Richland.
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that Board give preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition of 91 acres near Bear Island WMA in Colleton County. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition of 357 acres near Chestnut Ridge WMA in Greenville County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The Board will hold an informal education workshop on Thursday, April 16 - time and location to be determined.
    
18. 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 19, 2015 (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.