The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2011, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Mike McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Eric Skidmore offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Michael Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Shawn Hutchins; Ben Turetzky, Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS); Tombo Milliken, Coastal Conservation Association; Ann Timberlake, SC Conservation Voters; Joey Holleman, The State; Chip Sharpe, retired DNR employee; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Marc Cribb for receiving the President’s Award from the SC Association of Conservation Districts "…for outstanding service and dedication to the Conservation District Commissioners of South Carolina."
   
   Mr. Frampton commended David Lucas and staff for South Carolina Wildlife magazine's selection to receive one of ten Notable State Document Awards for 2010 from the S.C. State Library. The award was presented on March 16.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the February 18, 2011, meeting minutes. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the February 18, 2011, meeting with the following amendment. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   11. Executive Session
       At this time, At the request of Director Frampton, to review a legal and potential contractual matter, Mr. Pulliam made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for the Marine Resources Division, reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met February 24. The Advisory Committee invited Jim Goller, Executive Director, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, to discuss administrative fees associated with running the program. The Advisory Committee reviewed income by donors and made nominations for upcoming vacancies to the Advisory Committee. The Advisory approved the 2010 Annual Report. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board adopt the 2010 Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Annual Report as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. Marine
      Mr. Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met March 4. The Advisory Committee received presentations on the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act and Federal Fisheries Management; use of Population Genetics in the Striped Bass stocking program in the Ashley River and the use of genetic tags; and Water Quality and Coastal Urbanization: An Analysis of the May River Watershed.
   3. Migratory Waterfowl
      Derrell Shipes, Chief of Wildlife, reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee discussed and took action on SCDNR's contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada for year 4 of 4, Southern Ontario Habitat Initiative. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the recommendation of the Advisory Committee to contribute $68,710.50 to DU Canada for Year Four of four for the Southern Ontario Habitat Initiative. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Mr. Shipes stated that the Advisory Committee also discussed future stamps and contracts.
   4. Land, Water and Conservation
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee held a teleconference meeting on March 9. The Advisory Committee received a budget update and took action on conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments.
      
8. Items for Board Information
   1. Palmetto Pointe Marina
      Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, distributed and reviewed an executive summary of the full report for the Palmetto Pointe Commercial Marina. Mr. Perry noted that the Board instructed staff to re-examine the project specifically the areas of public safety and boating safety. SCDNR staff have concluded that there is no legitimate ground upon which to request the regulatory agencies to deny the requested permits based on public or boating safety or any other reason under the DNR's purview.
   2. Savannah Harbor Expansion Project
      Mr. Perry distributed and reviewed the milestones for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project as provided by the Corps of Engineers.
   3. Proposed Haile Gold Mine Permits
      Mr. Perry provided background on the proposed Haile Gold Mine reopening. The project has a number of potential environmental impacts of concern to DNR including water quality and quantity and other downstream impacts. A list of potential concerns was provided to the Board that will be included in the DNR comment letter that will be going to the regulatory agencies. Board members asked several questions including questions about bonding of the project to carry it through the reclamation process. Chairman McShane requested that all Board members receive a copy of the official comment letter when it is submitted.
      
9. Constituent Comment
   Ann Timberlake, Director of the Conservation Voters of SC, distributed copies of the 2011 Conservation Common Agenda and thanked departing Board members for their efforts over the past eight years.
   
   Chip Sharpe thanked departing Board members, especially Chairman McShane, for the transparency he brought to the Board and the Department.
   
   Chairman McShane introduced Cary Chastain who, pending Senate confirmation, will take his member at large seat on the Board.
10. Item for Board Action
    WMA Alligator Harvest Recommendations
    Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the general guidelines for WMA Alligator Hunts as included in the Board meeting package. After a brief discussion, Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the guidelines for WMA Alligator Hunts in concept, and use the input received today to develop the regulations. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
11. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief budget update.
    
    Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the Statement of Economic Interests forms are due by April 15.
12. Legislative
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, reviewed legislation introduced during the past week.
13. Environmental
    Nothing further to report.
14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that conditional offers for new officers were sent Tuesday.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, encouraged the Board and meeting attendees to attend the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.
    3. Marine
       Mr. Boyles reported on the recent South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting. Mr. Boyles also informed the Board of a press release about the rule on black sea bass limit reduction.
       
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief update on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program and the Aquatic Plant Management Plan.
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
15. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioner appointments/reappointments as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Appointments: Thomas Coward, Aiken; Yvonne Kling, Aiken; James Boone, Allendale; Willie Sarratt, Cherokee; and Henry Gettys, Cherokee
    
    Reappointments: Norris Fowler, Jr., Union
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion to allow staff to proceed with due diligence activities and project set up for a potential acquisition near Calhoun Falls. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    
17. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The April Board meeting will be held Thursday, April 14, 2011, in Columbia.
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.