SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Boyles introduced Dean Davis, Pam Davis, Lou Tocci, and Buford Mabry.

Mr. Boyles reported that Mr. Davis requested to make comments to the Board. Mr. Davis’ comments were concerning current stand-off requirements for boats traveling above idle speed.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the February 20, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the February 20, 2018 meeting as submitted. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Commendations
Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff on the SC DNR Youth Shooting Clay Open event held March 3.

Director Taylor commended Breck Carmichael and Michael Hook on the SC Bobwhite Funding Partnership reception held March 16.

Deidre Menefee, Chairman, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Jim Goller, Executive Director, Hampton Wildlife Fund and other Hampton Wildlife Fund Board members presented the 2018 check for $150,000 from the Hampton Wildlife Fund to DNR. This makes the total to date $3,652,605.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met February 22 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received a report of a visit to Samworth WMA, harvest numbers for waterfowl on public lands, migratory bird seasons, Lower Saluda trout regulations and legislation.
2. Marine
   Mr. Boyles reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met March 2 in Bluffton. The Advisory Committee received an update on the cold weather effects on marine resources, the “Let Them Spawn, Let Them Live” campaign, the mariculture sighting tool, the recently held fishing summit and red drum legislation.
3. Migratory Waterfowl
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met March 7 in Columbia. Mr. Hutchins informed the Advisory Committee that Mr. Hinson will be serving as the Board Representative at future meetings. The Advisory Committee has commissioned artist Jim Killian for the 2019-2020 stamp. The Advisory Committee received a presentation from Ducks Unlimited. The Advisory Committee received a financial update and decided to donate $10,000 from print sales and $16,000 from non-resident license sales to Ducks Unlimited Canada.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, was unable to attend the meeting due to family illness. Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board a brief presentation on the Geologic Guide to the Foothills Trail.

Climate Update
Dr. Mizzell briefly described the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network and the annual March contest to see which state can recruit the most volunteers to measure precipitation. Dr. Mizzell reported that the Climatology Office’s South Carolina Solar Eclipse document was recognized as one of the 2017 Notable State Documents by the South Carolina State Library. Dr. Mizzell then gave the Board a brief report on the recent cold temperatures. Dr. Mizzell then reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor and staff have spent a great deal of time participating in legislative meetings.

Director Taylor reported that the House budget is complete and the Senate will begin deliberations next week.

Director Taylor and Vice Chairman Hutchins participated in the dedication of the J. B. Barker Boat Ramp on Lake Murray.

Director Taylor mentioned to the Board that the SC Archery in the Schools Tournament is scheduled for March 28 in Sumter.

Director Taylor reminded the Board that the Youth Bass Fishing Championship weigh in will be held at the Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, reported on youth hunting day and exemption for tags and license; cobia; red drum; turkey sunset dates; Lower Saluda River trout regulations; removal of DNR’s authority to regulate genetically modified shellfish; and the Conservation Bank. CPT Sabaka noted that the cross over date is April 10.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project and the approval of the SCDNR General Permit Application.

1. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, distributed the Law Enforcement Investigations and Education statistics document.
2. Marine
   Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief update on oyster mariculture.
3. Division of Administration
   Carole Collins, Deputy Director for the Division of Administration, commended the Engineering Section for the transition in moving to OSS. Ms. Collins reported that IT has recently developed a new boating and licensing production report.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, informed the Board that there are 94 boats with two youth per boat fishing participating in the Youth Bass Fishing Championship.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.

1. Approval of Board Policy – Acceptance of Gifts of Tangible Personal Property
   Vah Whitehead, Assistant Chief Counsel, reviewed the draft policy as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Board Policy – Acceptance of Gifts of Tangible Personal Property as presented. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Approval of 2018-2019 Migratory Bird Seasons
   Mrs. Cope reviewed both the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee recommendations and the staff recommendations for the 2018-2019 migratory bird seasons, noting that the only difference is the opening and closing dates for early teal season. Mr. Hinson made a motion that the Board approve the 2018-2019 Migratory Bird Seasons as recommended by staff. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Resolution to Support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
   Mrs. Cope introduced Anna Smith, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, and asked her to give the Board an overview of the Support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Mrs. Smith distributed copies and gave the Board a brief presentation on the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources and their recommendations for funding that will conserve all fish and wildlife. Mrs. Smith reviewed the highlights of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and what its benefits will be to South Carolina. Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the Resolution to Support the Recovering America’s Wildlife as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Governor’s Cup Series 2017 Annual Report
   Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the Governor’s Cup Series 2017 Annual Report as presented. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss appointments to advisory boards related to items (E, F and G), and SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(2) to discuss legal advice, and contractual matters related to real property in items (Environmental Report, H, I, J and K). Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

5. Governor’s Cup Advisory Board Nominations
   Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the appointments to the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board of Directors for a three-year term of July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021, of the following individuals: Robert McClam of Little Mountain and Justin Kohl of Georgetown. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Law Enforcement Advisory Committee Reappointments
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the reappointments to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee for a four-year term of July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2022 of the following individuals: Terry LeCroy of Bradley, J. Eugene Adams of Spartanburg, Dr. G. B. Ingraham, III of Johns Island and James B. Schwiers of Greenville. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments
   Mr. Hinson made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments of the following:
   • Appointments:
     Toni Warren of Newberry – term of 03/23/18 to 01/31/19
   • Reappointments:
     Michael P. Shirer of Calhoun – term of 03/23/18 to 03/03/22
     Henry Gettys of Cherokee - term of 03/23/18 to 04/08/22
     James Shealy of Newberry - term of 03/23/18 to 03/03/22
     Betty L. Hughes of Orangeburg - term of 03/23/18 to 01/04/22
     H. Heath Hill of Richland - term of 03/23/18 to 06/17/22
     David L. Padgett, Sr. of Saluda - term of 03/23/18 to 02/27/22
     Jack Turner of Spartanburg - term of 03/23/18 to 04/07/22
     John T. Rivers of Sumter - term of 03/23/18 to 01/04/22
     Henry Sprouse of Union - term of 03/23/18 to 02/28/22
     Bennie Copeland of York - term of 03/23/18 to 02/28/22
     Clarence Senn of York - term of 03/23/18 to 02/28/22
   Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Proposed Board Resolution
   Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the Proposed Board Resolution as presented. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Extension of Lease on NOAA Lab
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the modified Extension of Lease on the NOAA Lab as presented. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Potential Property Acquisition in northern Greenville Countyv Mr. Hinson made a motion that the Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition near SC DNR’s Blackwell Heritage Preserve in northern Greenville County. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Potential Property Acquisition in northwestern Greenville County
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition south of US Highway 276 between the South Saluda and Middle Saluda rivers in northwestern Greenville County. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting of the Board will be April 19 in Columbia.

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