The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, April 17, 2014, 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 John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Glenn McFadden and Norman Pulliam. Board members Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce’s 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. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: George Thornton, National Wild Turkey Federation; Becky Humphries, National Wild Turkey Federation; Michael Lee, SC Realtors Association; and Brett Hubler, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
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 March 28, 2014, meeting minutes. Michael Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 28, 2014, meeting as submitted. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor asked Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, to present the Meritorious Service Award to a nominated employee. Mrs. Cope presented the award to Tim Ivey.
   Director Taylor and George Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of National Wild Turkey Federation, signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Palmetto Shooting Complex.
   
8. Items for Board Information
   
   1. Climate Update Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reviewed the average times for spring freeze and the minimum and maximum temperature extremes. Dr. Mizzell also presented precipitation and temperature forecasts.
   2. Earthquake Presentation Bill Clendenin, Land, Water and Conservation Division, informed the Board that there were 11 earthquakes in South Carolina last year. Scott Howard, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief review of the types of earthquakes, seismic zones, types of faults, the reactivation of faults and the types of stress(es).
   3. SC Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE) Michael Hodges, Marine Resources Division, gave the Board a brief presentation of the SCORE program, noting that it began in 2001 and is a volunteer project. Mr. Hodges reviewed the volunteers, partners, various activities, press coverage, awards and goals of the program.
9. Director's Briefings
   Director Taylor gave the Board an update on the budget.
   
   Director Taylor participated in a tour of the Santee Delta by members of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
   
   Director Taylor attended the 20th Annual SC Environmental Awareness Award ceremony and presented the award to former DNR Wildlife Biologist R. Joseph Hamilton.
   
   Director Taylor attended numerous legislative meetings over the past month.
   
   
10. 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.
11. Environmental Report
    Mr. Carmichael highlighted the Haile Gold Mine Project.
12. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, gave a brief report on the 2014 shrimp season outlook.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Scott Speares, Interim Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, briefed the Board on the smart phone app, lifetime license hard cards, annual license mailer and the new licensing system.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board updates on the Water Assessment project and the groundwater monitoring network.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Law Enforcement
       MAJ Jamie Landrum informed the Board that DNR's Law Enforcement Division received the Palmetto Pride Zero Tolerance Litter Award. MAJ Landrum noted that 12 officers will be graduating from the Academy tomorrow. MAJ Landrum announced that Kim Leverich, Hunter/Boater Education, has been promoted to LT.
13. Executive Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Open Session
    Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board waive SC DNR Board Policy #401.01 with respect to the Soy Aquaculture Alliance contract with the Marine Resources Division. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The time and location of the next meeting is scheduled for May 29 at the Blue Heron Nature Center, Ridgeland.
    
16. 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 April 17, 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.