Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC
Friday, March 26, 2004
9:30 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, March
26, 2004, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina. 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, and Smith Ragsdale. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the
Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various
guests.
Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane asked Lt.
Col. Van McCarty to offer the invocation.
Mr. Chamblee introduced
Noel Hurley, USGS; Angela Viney, SC Wildlife Federation; and Zane Wilson, Sun
News.
IV. Constituent Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
Mr. McShane asked if there
were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the February 13, 2004,
meeting. There being no corrections
or additions, Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of
the February 13, 2004, meeting as submitted.
Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VI. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton commended Officers Dudley Britt, Stephanie Brown, and John Lewis for their efforts during the search and rescue mission on the Broad River near Columbia on February 21.
Mr. Frampton commended Officers Darrin Hayes and Ginger Pop and all others who helped in the successful rescue of a three year old who was missing at Pawleys Island.
Mr. Frampton commended Lisa Jones on her completion of the process and examination to become an Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Certificated Floodplain Manager.
Mr. Frampton introduced Kirk Thomas, National Coordinator/Founder of Wheelin’ Sportsmen with the National Wild Turkey Federation. Mr. Thomas described the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program as a program that provides all disabled people the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Frampton then signed the Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF Program Partnership Agreement between the NWTF and the Department.
VII. Advisory Committee Reports
A. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
Robert Boyles informed the
Board that the Governor Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met on February
25, 2004, in Charleston. The majority
of discussion by the Advisory Board was regarding a rule change for the 2004
tournament. Mr. Boyles noted that this
rule change is moving away from tagging, due to concerns over tagging
mortality. Mr. Boyles reported that the
other main topic was an update on the South Atlantic Fisheries Management
Council’s plan for the dolphin and Wahoo fishery management.
B. Law
Enforcement
Mr. Campbell reported that
the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on March 10, 2004, at Cheraw State
Park. Mr. Campbell stated that the main
topic of conversation was the budget situation. Mr. Campbell noted that Lt. Steve Walters gave the Advisory
Committee a legislative update. Major
Alvin Taylor gave the Advisory Committee an update on educational programs and
JEA program.
C. Waterfowl
Mr. Ragsdale informed the
Board that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on March 17, 2004, in
Columbia. The meeting opened with a
discussion about the budget situation.
The Advisory Committee established goals to improve duck hunting and
continuing to improve the communication between waterfowl enthusiasts and DNR
and improve and develop additional methods to survey waterfowl harvests. Mr. Ragsdale reported that the wood duck box
project is underway and they are working out specifics with DNR; $37,000 has
been raised to date. The Advisory
Committee discussed increasing the SC Waterfowl Stamp and using the increase in
fees specifically for funding of new waterfowl habitat impoundments and their
management. Ed Duncan gave a
presentation on the FERC relicensing process which affects Santee Cooper
Lakes. Dave Wielicki gave a report on
the aquatic weed situation on the Santee Cooper Lakes. The Habitat Oversight Committee has been
working on the Yawkey Center at South Island.
Mr. Ragsdale stated that the Advisory Committee received a report on
increasing public hunting opportunities.
The Advisory Committee discussed hunting regulations with the first
topic of discussion being disturbance.
Mr. Ragsdale informed the
Board of the members of the Santee Lakes Submersed Aquatic Plant
Committee. Mr. Ragsdale stated that
their report shows that since the 1970’s-1980’s the population of mallards at
the Santee Refuge has dropped from 115,000 to 361 according to the past year’s
survey. The report gave numerous
reasons for this decrease and are working with Santee Cooper, DNR and the Corps
of Engineers to develop recommendations on the reversal of this situation.
VIII. Item for Board
Information
A. Nuisance Alligator Protocol
Derrell Shipes distributed copies and reviewed the changes to the
alligator response protocol. Mr. Shipes
then reviewed the criteria for evaluating alligator complaints. Mr. Shipes stated that he would like to
amend the law to read “In addition to programs established by regulation under
this chapter, the Department may issue permits for the removal and disposition
of nuisance or dangerous alligators to property owners, property owners
associations, property holding companies and local governments or their
agents. Such permit shall specify the
number and size of alligators to be removed, the area from which the animals
may be removed, the methods of removal, reporting requirements, and disposition
of parts and products of the animals taken.”
Mr. Shipes noted that he feels this is an important step in moving to
privatization. At this time, Mr.
Frampton stated that he felt with the current budget situation it is imperative
to move quickly toward privatization. Mr.
Davis made a motion that the Board encourage staff to pursue privatization of
the alligator removal program and take the necessary steps to make legislative
changes. Mr. Evans seconded the motion
and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Presentation on Aquatic Weeds
Freddy Vang showed the Board several
examples of weed problems. Mr. Vang
reviewed the creation of the Aquatic Plant Management Program and the
establishment of the Aquatic Plant Management Council. Mr. Vang then reviewed the responsibilities
of the Council and noted that the Council has an annual planning process, which
receives public input. Mr. Vang
explained how this plan is also a part of FERC Relicensing. Mr. Vang reiterated that the key to the
Aquatic Weed Management Plan is to be sure that it is open for public comment
through the entire process.
Mr.
Vang distributed copies and reviewed the AVM summary. The points reviewed were what is known about AVM and what is not
known about AVM. It is thought that it
is a natural toxin because surveys of AVM lakes indicate a consistent presence
of abundant aquatic vegetation and the presence of a particular species of blue
green alga, Stigonematales, which may produce neurotoxins. Many reservoirs are diagnosed with AVM
shortly after colonization by exotic vegetation.
C. Geographic Information Systems
Mr.
Vang reported that he attended a meeting with state agencies and there appears to
be general agreement about the need for enhanced coordination. Chairman McShane stated that at a recent
Governor’s Cabinet meeting it was brought up that many different agencies all
look at GIS as the tool to use but there is really no coordination of personnel,
software and hardware. Mr. Frampton
offered DNR’s help in coordination and will report back to the Cabinet.
D. Red-cockaded Woodpecker Plan for Lewis
Ocean Bay
Tom Kohlsaat gave the Board a presentation
of the plan for Red-cockaded Woodpecker on Lewis Ocean Bay. The number of active clusters has dropped
from five to three. Mr. Kohlsaat noted
that there are two sites on the property that staff are considering for
recruitment clusters. Mr. Kohlsaat
highlighted the qualities of the two recruitment sites. After much discussion and many questions,
Chairman McShane asked Mr. Kohlsaat for further research to be done and report
back to the Board.
IX. Director’s Briefings
Mr. Frampton reminded Board
Members to complete and mail their Statement of Economic Interests Form to the
Ethics Commission by April 15.
Mr. Frampton noted that
Chairman McShane, Vice Chairman Campbell and he met with several legislators on
March 23-24 to discuss DNR’s budget situation.
Mr. Frampton reviewed some problems passed by the House version of the
budget.
Mr. Frampton informed the
Board that the Department will be hosting the Spring directors’ meeting of the
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Columbia, April
30-May 2, 2004.
Mr. Frampton stated that a
dedication ceremony for the Bonneau Ferry Property is scheduled for Friday,
June 4. Final plans and location will
be announced soon.
A. Legislative Report
Derrick Meggie informed the
Board that their weekly update will be sent today. Mr. Meggie highlighted the following bills: Restructuring, ATV Safety and Registration,
Criminal Reporting by other Law Enforcement Agencies, and the bill involving
DNR Regulating its leased lands.
B. Habitat Task Force
Chairman McShane and Mr.
Frampton informed the group that Barry Beasley will be heading up the Habitat
Protection Program. Mr. Beasley
reported that with the new responsibilities of the Habitat Protection
Program. One of the first priorities
will be to revisit the Habitat Protection Strategy including priorities and
criteria.
X. Deputy Directors’
Reports
1. Land, Water
and Conservation
Mr. Vang provided the Board
with the April Climate Outlook as prepared by State Climatologist Hope
Mizzell. Mr. Vang also distributed a
report titled “Meeting Challenges with Geologic Maps” prepared by American
Geological Institute.
2. Conservation
Education and Communications and Administrative Services
Mr. Vang reported that Ms.
Collins is currently at the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic. Mr. Vang noted that Ms. Collins wanted to
report that the next South Carolina Wildlife television show will be
aired April 10. Ms. Collins also wanted
to inform the Board that license sales are up over this time last year.
3. Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
Mr. McTeer gave the Board an update on the recent Farm Bill Workshop meetings and the Quail seminars held at the Webb Center.
4. Law
Enforcement
Col. Wright gave the Board a summary of the In-Service Training and commended the staff. Col. Wright informed the Board that there is BUI training planned for the summer. Col. Wright stated that the Take One Make One trailer is located in the Ruff Building at the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.
5. Marine
Robert Boyles reported that the deployment of the inshore artificial reefs in Winyah Bay began this week. Mr. Boyles distributed photos of the Sealand Pride incident that occurred in late February.
XI. Board Member
Comments
Vice Chairman Campbell elaborated on the success of the meetings they had with Senators this past week. Mr. Campbell acknowledged the support of Senators McGill and Drummond. Mr. Campbell spoke on the effects of officers being cut and the rise in the number of boating fatalities. Mr. Campbell also spoke of the economic impact of the Department on the State. Mr. Campbell encouraged the group to speak to State Senators, House Members and conservation groups about the Department’s budget situation. Mr. Frampton stated that as facilities are closing the agency is being reshaped around the hubs and the hubs are being put in a position so that, through time, some staffing can be eliminated in the Columbia office and allow better decision and communication processes to occur in the hubs. Chairman McShane stated that he knows the Department will not come out of the Senate with a zero dollar cut, but the intent is to minimize the cut.
XII. Executive Session
At this time Mr. Campbell
made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual,
legal and personnel matters. Mr. Davis
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIII. Return to Regular Session
Mr. Evans made a motion
that the Board approve the appointment of Charles Broadwell to the Land, Water
and Conservation Advisory Committee.
Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Davis made a motion
that the Board approve the appointment of William Hoole, Jr., to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Advisory Committee. Mr. Ragsdale
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Ragsdale made a motion
that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee’s Aquatic Weed Management Plan be
approved in principal as a high priority for DNR, with the ability of DNR Board
to revisit this issue as needed. Mr.
Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Time and Location of the
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the DNR
Board will be held Monday, March 29, 2004, at 3:00 pm, at the Rembert C. Dennis
Building, Columbia, SC.
The April meeting of the
DNR Board will be held Friday, April 16, 2004.
XV. Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.