The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, March 28, 2014, at Seawell’s, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Randy Lowe, Glenn McFadden, Norman Pulliam and Larry Yonce. Board members Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins and Caroline Rhodes’ absences were excused. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman John Evans called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Glenn McFadden led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Michael Lee, SC Realtors Association; and Joey Holleman, The State.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comments.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the January 21, 2014, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the January 21, 2014, meeting as submitted. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor informed the Board that the Harry Hampton Board would be in a little later to make their presentation.
   
   Director Taylor commended Bob Perry on his selection by the SC Wildlife Federation to receive their Conservationist of the Year award.
   
   Director Taylor commended Col. Chisolm Frampton on his receipt of the SC Humane Society of the United States' Humane Law Enforcement Award .
   
   Director Taylor commended Capt. Tim Baxley and Mark Malsick and agency staff who worked with Emergency Management Division and Governor's Office staff during Winter Storm Leon and Winter Storm Pax.
   
   Director Taylor commended Shannon Bobertz on receipt of the University of South Carolina School of Law's 2014 Compleat Lawyer Award.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Land, Water and Conservation
      Marc Cribb, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met January 21 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received updates on Water Planning and the Water Basin Study. Director Taylor was presented with the SC Association of Conservation Districts President's Award. The Advisory Committee approved the conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments and forwarded for the Board's consideration.
   2. Marine
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met January 31 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the National Marine Estuarine Research Reserve. The Advisory Committee passed a motion recommending the Board ask the Governor to consider honoring the Donnelley Family Foundation for their contribution, specifically the ACE Basin. The Advisory Committee received an overview of the Marine Turtle Program. The Advisory Board discussed the Board's recommendation for Advisory Committees.
   3. Waterfowl
      Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met February 25 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received an update on waterfowl season and legislation. The Advisory Committee was given an overview of increasing waterfowl hunting on WMA's. The Advisory Committee also discussed the Board's decision to dissolve the Advisory Committee.
   4. Heritage Trust
      Ken Prosser, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met February 6. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Carolina Bays and Isolated Wetlands Task Force. Mary Crockett, Congaree Land Trust, advised the board of a potential cultural site in Colleton County. Members of the Hitchcock Woods Foundation informed the board of their interest in placing additional land under conservation easement. The Advisory Committee was given an update on an excavation site at Bear Branch Heritage Preserve.
   5. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met February 20 in Charleston. Staff is currently looking for a venue for the 2014 Awards Ceremony that is tentatively scheduled for October 17. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on Point, Click, Fish. The Advisory Committee passed motions regarding a specialty license plate, 2014 expenditures, the 2013 Annual Report and the nominations for appointments and reappointments.
   6. Migratory Waterfowl
      Scott Speares, Interim Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Committee met March 5 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee welcomed new members Britt Rowe and Nick Kremydas. The Advisory Committee selected the primary and secondary artists for the 2016-2017 migratory waterfowl print/stamp. Mr. Craig LeSchack gave an update on the 2014 (year 2 of 5) Southern Ontario Waterfowl Habitat Initiative. The Advisory Committee discussed the yearly contribution amount which will be forwarded to the Board for consideration.
   7. Law Enforcement
      Mr. Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met March 25 and 26 at Patriots Plantation in Johnsonville. The Advisory Committee toured the property on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, the Advisory Committee received an overview of the Law Enforcement Division and recent activities.
9. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reviewed the February 12-13 ice/snow event. Dr. Mizzell also presented precipitation and temperature forecasts.
10. Items for Board Action
    2013 Governor's Cup Annual Report
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the 2013 Governor's Cup Annual Report be approved, as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Pulliam thanked Wally Jenkins, Amy Dukes and Robert Boyles for their work with this program.
    
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor informed the Board that with the retirement of Buford Mabry, Shannon Bobertz has been named Chief Counsel and with the retirement of Don Winslow, Scott Speares has been named Interim Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services.
    
    Director Taylor participated in the National Wild Turkey Federation's Annual Convention when they announced their cooperative Hunting Heritage Project.
    
    Director Taylor gave the Board an update on the budget.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board of several public service announcements staff are putting together for promotion of SC seafood products, fishing in SC and boating safety in SC.
    
    Director Taylor advised the Board that the State Auditor’s Office has completed and released the 2012 Single Audit and that there were no findings.
    
    Director Taylor met with Dr. Bill Clendenin and Dr. Scott Howard for a briefing on the earthquake in Edgefield.
    
    Director Taylor participated in a tour of the Santee Delta by members of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
    
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that most DNR proposed legislation has crossed over prior to May 1 deadline for legislation to cross over from one House to the other. Mr. Meggie reviewed the bills that have crossed and mentioned that the State Lakes legislation should be introduced in the next week.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Republic Services of SC Union County Landfill expansion and Haile Gold Mine Project.
14. Presentations
    Dr. Julius Leary, Chairman of the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Board, and other Board members presented the Department with a symbolic check in the amount of $134,525 for 2014 projects. This brings the total project funding to $3,033,455.
15. Environmental Report
    Mr. Perry continued his environmental report by briefing the Board on the South Coast Mitigation Venture and the Yadkin Pee Dee Hydro Project.
16. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Mr. Speares reported on the Recover Audit results and noted that there were no findings.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope gave the Board an update on cormorant management, thus far.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board an update on Law Enforcement activities during the ice storm and an update on hiring.
    5. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles gave the Board an update on the first Annual MRD Conference on Science, Management and Outreach that was held March 25 and 26.
17. Executive Session
    Mr. Yonce made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
18. Open Session
    Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board approve the conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
    
    

    Reappointments: Louise Hughes, Orangeburg; and John T. Rivers III, Sumter.
    
    Appointments: Thomas Ware, McCormick; Henry L. Sprouse, Union; Gaylan L. Pennington, Cherokee; Joe S. Gaston, Jr., Chester; Jim W. Rhodes, Richland; and William B. Jeter, Union
    

    Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the appointments and reappointments to the Governor's Cup Advisory Committee as recommended by the Committee.
    
    

    Appointments (3 year terms July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2017):
     Victor Roof of Lexington
    Appointment (3 year term July 1, 2016-June 30, 2019):
     Stokeley Holder of Greenville
    Reappointments (3 year terms July 1, 2014-June 30, 2017):
     Mark Daniels of Greenville
     Mark Rogers of Pawley's Island
     James Zachrich, Jr. of Hilton Head Island

    Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
19. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The time and location of the next meeting is tentatively set for April 18, time and location to be determined.
    
20. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for March 28, 2014 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.