MINUTES
BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
Columbia, South Carolina
Friday, March 27, 1998
9:30 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held
at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 1998, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, in
Columbia, South Carolina. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and
mailed to the news media. Dr. George Graham presided at the meeting. Board Members present
included Thomas Miller, Marion Burnside, Campbell Coxe, Edwin Oxner, Mary Pope Waring and
Edward Lee. Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources
were present at the meeting as were various guests.
I.Call to Order
Chairman Graham called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
II.Meditation
Chairman Graham asked for a moment of silent meditation.
III.Approval of Minutes
Chairman Graham asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the
February 12, 1998 meeting. There being no corrections or additions, the minutes were
accepted as mailed.
IV.Presentations/Commendations
A.Audit Services
Bethany Allen Narboni gave an overview of the Audit Services program and what audit services will be provided.
B.Prioritizing Purchases of Natural Areas in the Heritage Trust Program
Steve Bennett outlined the method the Heritage Trust Program has developed to
prioritize the purchase of natural areas.
V.Items for Board Action
A.Shrimp Trawling Season
Mrs. Waring moved that the Board authorize the Marine Resources Division to open
the 1998 spring commercial shrimp trawling season on or after May 15 based upon
sampling data and following notification of the Board by telephone and adjust the
season on brown shrimp as required. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
VI. Advisory Committee Reports
A.Marine
Mrs. Waring reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met March 11, in
Columbia. The Marine Advisory Committee members met with 27 legislators
regarding the Coastal Fisheries Bill, Chapter 5. There has been positive response
since the committee members met with legislators. The bill has been introduced
and referred to committee in both the House and Senate.
Mrs. Waring commented on a report that was given by Dr. Holland on Pfiesteria in
South Carolina. There have been several occurrences of toxic algae and outbreaks
of lesions on fish, however, more study is required to determine whether or not it is
Pfiesteria. A task force has been formed to study Pfiesteria and outbreaks of toxic
algae which have primarily been seen in areas where there is lack of flushing as
well as high nutrient loads.
Mrs. Waring asked Robert Boyles to report on the Oceans Act. Mr. Boyles reported
that this Act calls for the development and implementation of a coherent,
comprehensive and long-range national policy to explore, protect and use ocean
and coastal resources. The goals of the Act are to maintain a coordinated policy
consistent with international obligations on ocean and coastal activities, ask the
federal government to review federal agencies' ocean and coastal activities,
integrate all ocean and coastal programs, designate lead responsibilities and help
to ensure cooperation. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that a letter has been
drafted, for their signature, to the House Delegation supporting the Oceans Act.
B.Conservation Education and Communications
Mr. Burnside reported that the Conservation Education and Communications
Advisory Committee spent most of their meeting reviewing the Magazine's Business
Plan.
Mr. Burnside informed the Board that a bill has been introduced namingThe
Sandlapper as the state magazine. The CEC Advisory Committee does not agree
with this and they voted to write and promote a bill to nameSouth Carolina Wildlife
as the state magazine.
Sonny Baines thanked Charles Myers and Cindy Wood for their work towards better
accountability in the by-product program.
Mr. Baines asked John Davis to give a summary of some of the comments made
by the CEC Advisory Committee regarding the Magazine's Business Plan.
Mr. Baines asked Jim Goller reported on the circulation rate of the Magazine.
Mr. Baines reported that there is an education retreat scheduled for April 19-21.
One of the goals of this retreat is to develop an education plan for the Department.
Mr. Burnside mentioned a discussion by the Advisory Committee of having a license
package which would include the magazine, a hat, a patch, plus all hunting and
fishing licenses. Mr. Burnside recognized that Brock Conrad had thought of this
earlier. Mr. Conrad added that he was thinking along the lines of a "super
sportsman's" license. This would give the Department the opportunity to develop
a constituency of individuals who support Department.
VII.Director's Briefings
A.Executive Office
1.Director
Dr. Sandifer recognized Col. Alvin Wright and congratulated him in his new
role as Deputy Director for Law Enforcement.
Dr. Sandifer reported that he appeared before the Senate Finance Committee
on March 19 and the response was positive.
Dr. Sandifer informed the Board that a delegation went to Washington, DC,
to work with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies on the
Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service budget, the Department of
Commerce's budget and a variety of other federal issues.
Dr. Sandifer mentioned that there was a major leadership training activity this
month with 23 staff going through this activity. Dr. Sandifer applauded Jean
Cowell on getting this program established.
Dr. Sandifer reported that he received an invitation to present the Jocassee
Gorges Management Plan to the Governor's Cabinet meeting.
Dr. Sandifer informed the Board that he attended the North American Wildlife
and Natural Resources conference in Orlando.
Dr. Sandifer advised the Board that he participated with Secretary Babbitt,
Department of Interior, in signing an historic agreement to protect Red-
cockaded woodpeckers in South Carolina and also to assist landowners who
may have colonies of these birds in their timberland. Dr. Sandifer noted that
South Carolina has the first statewide permit in the nation for handling safe
harbors for Red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Dr. Sandifer reminded Board members that their Statement of Economic Interest forms are due by April 15.
2.Legal
Buford Mabry reported that on Monday, Judge Barber signed an Order which
declared unconstitutional the regulations and statutes prohibiting Sunday
hunting in the Piedmont.
3.Legislative
Michael Thompson updated the Board on the Department's legislative
proposal for 1998. Mr. Thompson mentioned the House Agriculture
Committee has decided to delay the Game Zone Restructuring bill until next
year. Mr. Thompson informed the Board that the Jocassee Gorges Trust
Fund legislation has passed both the House and Senate and has gone back
to the Senate for their concurrence on two amendments.
4.Human Resources
Jean Cowell reported on the leadership training that was conducted last week.
Ms. Cowell informed the Board that this week began an intensive EPMS
training workshop. Ms. Cowell also mentioned that OHR staff have
implemented a monthly flier to improve communications with employees on
human resources issues.
5.Environmental
Nothing to report.
B.Deputy Directors
1. Natural Resources Enforcement
Col. Wright announced that Law Enforcement's command structure is in
place. The new LTC will be Cpt. Stanley Smith and the new Maj. of Field
Operations will be Cpt. Windy Pulaski.
Col. Wright informed the Board that the Directives Committee met in February
and there is a meeting scheduled in April to review the new directives and set
a time table.
Col. Wright announced that three of the fallow deer cases have been
disposed of and are final. Col. Wright views this as success for District One
Officers as well as Lt. Sharpe and his investigators.
Col. Wright thanked Sonny Baines, his Division and Mike Willis, in particular,
for their assistance in relation to the recent drownings in McCormick County.
Col. Wright announced that Maj. Van McCarty will be attending the FBI
Academy this summer.
Col. Wright reported that Tim Baxley, an officer in District 6 and member of
the dive team, has been requested to do a national presentation on the Susan
Smith case and how the DNR divers handled this very difficult situation.
Col. Wright reported that South Carolina will be serving on the following North
American Wildlife and Natural Resources committees: Federal Grants,
Violators Compact and Information and Intelligence Sharing.
Col. Wright announced that Susan Dennis has been selected as the Law
Enforcement Division Employee of the Year.
2.Conservation Education and Communications
Mr. Baines distributed a schedule for upcoming HOFNOD events and a copy
of The Resource.
Steve Bates gave an update on the SC MAPS program. Mr. Bates reported
that last year approximately 300 teachers were trained and they are on
schedule to train another 300 teachers this year. An SC MAPS workshop was
held last week in Berkeley County with approximately 80 teachers in
attendance.
3.Marine Resources
John Miglarese reported that the Marine Recreational Fisheries Advisory
Committee and the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee
met, both Committees endorse the Costal Fisheries legislation.
4.Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy Vang announced that DNR had two of the top ten publications in the
state, as recognized by the State Library, one beingFarming for Clean Water
in South Carolina and the other beingMineral Resources Map of South
Carolina. Mr. Vang also recognized Mike Helfert, State Climatologist, for his
award from Scientific American.
Mr. Vang reminded the Board of the Drought Workshop that will be held next
week.
Mr. Vang informed the Board that the Envirothon was held last weekend.
There were 27 teams plus 8 alternate teams in attendance for this
competition.
Mr. Vang announced that the statewide hearing on the Water Plan will be July
8, at 7:00 PM.
Mr. Vang asked Joy Boswell to describe the Love-a-Tree program. Ms.
Boswell stated that this program is a joint effort of DHEC, International Paper
and DNR through conservation districts.
5.Administrative Services
Benny Reeves advised that the Division of Administrative Services has been
investigating a procedure that provides customer service for our constituents
by allowing them to call a telephone number and order a hunting/fishing
license. This process, if proven workable, will be available to residents and
nonresidents. Residents will be verified by driver's license number through
the Department of Transportation or some other means. Details are being
worked out.
6.Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Brock Conrad reported on the public meeting for the Jocassee Gorges Draft
Management Plan held March 26, at Pickens High School. Plans were set up
around the gymnasium for public review and input. Mr. Conrad reported that
there were several people there that passed out literature in opposition to the
plan. Mr. Conrad informed the Board that, of the evaluations received thus far
as a result of the Pickens meeting, 29 support the plan as it is, 104 support
the plan with minor modifications and 35 oppose the plan. The next public
meeting will be April 2, at the National Guard Armory in Columbia.
VIII. Executive Session
At this time, Mr. Miller made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss
legal, contractual and personnel matters. Mr. Lee seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
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RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION
Following the Executive Session, the regular meeting was resumed and participants were invited
into the meeting.
Chairman Graham called the meeting back to order.
Following the Executive Session, Mr. Miller made a motion that the Department continue to pursue
the Dixon Lee vs South Carolina DNR decision through the appeals process. Mr. Burnside
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
IX. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
Chairman Graham stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday,
April 17, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., at the Dennis Wildlife Center, in Bonneau.
X. Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.