The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, 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 and Norman Pulliam. Board member Caroline Rhodes’ absence was excused. 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 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Ron Kenyon to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Chairman McShane introduced Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee; and Joey Holloman, The State.
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the March 18, 2010, meeting minutes. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 18, 2010, meeting as submitted. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentations
   Mr. Frampton introduced Cam Littlejohn of the Midlands Striper Club. This group presented a check for $5,890.42 to fund an automated oxygenation system for a fisheries hauling truck.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Steve Bates and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts in making the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic on March 26-28 such a great success.
7. Constituent Comments
   Chairman McShane invited Alfred Kelly to address the group. Mr. Kelly thanked the Board for their work and efforts and spoke in favor of the Aquatic Plant Management Council’s 2010 APM Plan.
   
   Chairman McShane invited Mary Shriner, Santee Cooper Counties Promotion Commission, to address the group. Ms. Shriner thanked DNR and Santee Cooper for Minutes – DNR Board Meeting April 16, 2010 Page 2 of 4 their work to control invasive plants, such as hydrilla, in the Santee-Cooper lake system and for their efforts to restore native vegetation to the lakes.
   
   Chairman McShane invited Joe Avin, President, Santee Bass Matters, to address the group. Mr. Avin stated that they do not oppose the plan as a whole, but believe the lack of fish is directly related to the lack of vegetation. Mr. Avin stated that they would like to see something else used besides grass carp.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Stephen Davis reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met April 13 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received an update on the 2009-2010 waterfowl season. The Advisory Committee received reports on the success of closing seabird nesting areas and on shad. Staff were authorized to contract with Responsive Management for a telephone deer hunter survey.
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state. She also provided a tropical outlook.
10. Items for Board Action
    1. SCE&G Easement Request – Marsh WMA
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the information as included in the Board meeting package and noted that there is a change in the appraised value from $3,130 to $6,255. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the SCE&G Easement Request with the change in the appraised value. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Reedy River Trust Fund Proposal
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reviewed the Reedy River Trust Fund Proposal as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the Reedy River Trust Fund Proposal, not to exceed $924,458, contingent upon the balance in the fund prior to the check being sent. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Deer Hunter Survey Staff Recommendations
       Mr. Carmichael reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee recommended to the Board that staff proceed in contracting with Responsive Management for a telephone deer hunter survey. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board direct staff to use the vendor currently on contract, Responsive Management, to conduct a telephone deer hunter survey with the understanding that it be a broad-based survey. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton briefed the Board on the current budget situation, noting there is currently a Senate proviso to add a $2 administrative fee to hunting and fishing licenses and a $5 administrative fee to boat titling and registration fees.
    
    Mr. Frampton spoke at a memorial event for Sam Hamilton in Washington on April 9.
    
    Mr. Frampton and Chairman McShane will meet with the Yawkey Foundation Board on April 26.
    
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, gave the Board an update on the status of current legislation.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on the DHEC permits issue, FERC projects, nuclear projects, mitigation banking, I-73 and the Carolina Bays Parkway.
14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that Capt. Mark Carey will fill in as interim Captain for Region 1. Col. Taylor informed the Board that DNR will work with the Coast Guard on patrols for the Blue Angels show this weekend.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, showed the Board the winning artwork for the Reel Kids Art contest. Ms. Collins reported that approximately 30,000 people attended the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.
    3. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, informed the Board that he will bring the request for the 2010 Commercial Shrimp Trawl Season Opening to the May meeting.
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers commended Heritage Trust staff for their efforts on the 2010 Kolb Site Archaeology Project. Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief update on the Savannah River Basin Water Advisory Council.
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael distributed a copy of the plan for public outreach efforts concerning feral hogs and coyotes in South Carolina.
15. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal, contractual and personnel matters. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Murray 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:
    Michael P. Shirer, Calhoun; Charles H. Coleman III, Fairfield; Lonnie C. Gillespie, Greenwood; Daniel P. Jeungst, McCormick; James F. Shealy, Newberry; Betty L. Hughes, Orangeburg; H. Heath Hill, Richland; David L. Padgett, Sr., Saluda; Charles J. Broadwell, Sumter; Jack F. Burnett, Jr., Union; Evelyn G. Edmunds, York; and Duane F. Christopher, York
    
    Appointment:
    Milton F. Floyd, Charleston
    
    Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The May Board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in Charleston.
    
    The June Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in Charleston.
    
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.