SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Doug Busbee and Tom Sliker.

Mr. Carmichael reported that Mr. Busbee requested to address the Board.

Mr. Busbee's comments were concerning surface water regulations and fire ants.

Vice Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the February 16, 2017, meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the February 16, 2017 meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Deidre Menefee, Chairman, Hampton Wildlife Fund; Jim Goller, Executive Director, Hampton Wildlife Fund and other Hampton Wildlife Fund Board members presented the 2017 check for $170,050 from the Hampton Wildlife Fund to DNR. This makes the total to date $3,502,605.

Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff who worked on the 3rd Annual Youth Sporting Clay Open held at the Palmetto Shooting Sports Complex in Edgefield on Saturday, March 4th, with 593 youth shooters and 2,000 people in attendance, with $38,000 in scholarships given away to graduating seniors thanks to sponsors like the Hampton Wildlife Fund.

Director Taylor commended David Lucas and Erin Weeks as well as Hope Mizzell and Tanner Arrington on selection of DNR to receive two of the Notable State Document Awards for 2016 for the South Carolina Natural Resources Blog and South Carolina Coastal Resources Blog as well as the Interactive Journal of the October Historic Rain and Flooding website and our recognition at the awards presentation ceremony on March 17 in Columbia.

Director Taylor commended Shannon Furr Bobertz, Chief Counsel, on her recognition by the SC Lawyers Weekly and selection as part of their 2017 Class of Honorees.

Director Taylor commended CPT Mike Sabaka, Ross Self, Charles Ruth, Robert Boyles, Emily Cope and other staff for their work this legislative session.

Director Taylor commended CPT Robert McCullough and outreach staff for their work on the recent issue of Guy Harvey magazine, which features fishing in South Carolina.

1. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met February 28 and March 1 at Santee Coastal Reserve. The Advisory Committee toured Santee Coastal Reserve on February 28 and met on March 1. The Advisory Committee received a brief history of the property, a presentation on the Land, Water and Conservation Division, and an update on the derelict boat issue in Beaufort County. The Advisory Committee reviewed the 2016 accomplishments.
2. Marine
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met March 3 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received two presentations. The first presentation was an outreach initiative concerning best practices for handling and releasing large fish, particularly red drum. The second presentation was on beach renourishment practices in South Carolina. The Advisory Committee received a legislative update and was informed of the selection of the Notable State Documents Awards by the State Library.
3. Migratory Waterfowl
   Bryan Kyzer, Division of Administration, reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met March 8 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee was informed that the Duck Stamps were on display at Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston. There was also an event at the Elloree Heritage Museum and Cultural Center that exhibited the Duck Stamps by artist Jim Killen. The Advisory Committee voted to donate $29,160 to Ducks Unlimited Canada. This amount is $8,000 from duck stamp print sales and funds from non-resident license sales.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee had a conference call meeting on March 15. The Advisory Committee approved the staff recommendations for the 2017-2018 migratory bird regulations.

Climate Update
Mark Malsick, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief report on statewide average temperature ranks, noting that this winter is the second warmest on record. Mr. Malsick reported on drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor informed the Board that he and staff have been attending numerous legislative meetings.

Director Taylor participated in the Shimano North Charleston Grand Opening.

Director Taylor informed the Board of the following upcoming events: NASP tournament, March 28-30; Twin Ponds Rifle Range Grand Opening, April 7; DNR Law Enforcement Officer Graduation, April 14; and DNR Hunter Education Volunteer Banquet, April 20.

CPT Mike Sabaka reported on the following legislative activitiy: no wake bill; night hunting hogs, coyote and armadillo; shellfish mariculture; hunting bears in coastal plain; striper bill and Conservation Bank. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that Board go on record as supporting the Conservation Bank. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the I-73 project and the Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. McClellanville 115 kV Transmission Project DEIS.

1. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.
2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries announced that Ken Forrester was selected as the Wildlife Technician of the Year.
3. Law Enforcement
   COL Frampton gave the Board a brief update on the new class of officers. COL Frampton reported that the Law Enforcement Division are in the process of purchasing dogs for the canine team. COL Frampton informed the board that two new members were added to the Governor's Protection Detail.
4. Marine Resources
   Mr. Boyles reported that the Marine Resources Division will be holding an MRD Conference next week.
5. Outreach and Support Services
   Nothing further to report.

1. Proposed 2017- 2018 Migratory Bird Seasons
   Derrell Shipes, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reviewed the framework and provided recommendations from staff and the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee for the proposed 2017-2018 Migratory Bird Seasons. Board members posed questions that were answered by Mr. Shipes. Mr. McFadden made a motion to divide the question into two categories – (1) migratory birds other than dove and (2) dove. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Hutchins moved to adopt the recommendation of staff and the Advisory Committee on migratory birds other than dove. Mr. McFadden stated that the recommendation came from a standing committee and needs no second. Without debate, the motion was approved unanimously.
   
   Additional questions were made to and answered by staff relative to doves. Mr. Hinson made a motion that the Board approve the dove regulations as recommended by staff and approved by the Advisory Committee. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion. After debate, Mr. McFadden called the question and Mr. Hutchins seconded. The Parliamentarian was asked to rule, and stated the motion to call the question was a motion to end debate and required a 2/3 majority. The vote to end debate was unanimous. Mr. Pulliam directed the Board to the original motion and called for a vote. Messrs. Hinson and McFadden voted in favor and Messrs. Hutchins and Yonce voted against. The tie vote defeated the motion.
   
   Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the dove regulations as presented with the exception of the bag limit and offers a limit of 12 instead of 15. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Wateree River Heritage Preserve Management Plan
   Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the Wateree River Heritage Preserve Management Plan as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Property Acquisition – Good Hope Trace in Colleton County
   Mr. McFadden made a motion that, subject to all due diligence and approval from the Department of Administration that DNR acquire, by gift from Lowcountry Land Trust the Good Hope (aka Mallard) Tract in Colleton County for inclusion into the Edisto River WMA. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

After lunch, the Board reconvened. A point of order was raised regarding whether or not the last action was in order. The Parliamentarian ruled the Board had recessed for lunch since the motion to adjourn died from lack of a second and no vote. Mr. Pulliam thence called the Board back into Order and redirected the Board's attention to Item XIV A.

Mr. Yonce made a motion to rescind the prior vote of setting a dove limit of 12. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hinson made a motion that the dove regulations be approved as recommended by staff and approved by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee with the daily bag limit of 15. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting of the Board will be April 20 at the Dennis Building in Columbia.

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