SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Dave Tafaoa, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, introduced Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors Association; Elizabeth Dieck, Attorney for Dewees POA; Alex Kuros, Dewees Island resident; Fred Schwaibold, Dewees Island resident; Artos Moser, Dewees Island resident; David McIntyre, Dewees Island resident; Peter Cotton, Dewees POA President; Larry McDavitt, Dewees Island POA Vice President; David Dew, Dewees Island General Manager; Ronnie Bonds, Dewees Island resident.

Mr. Boyles informed the Board that several requests for comment have been received.

Alex Kuros has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island. Mr. Kuros requested enforcement of the conservation easement with regard to short term rentals.

Ronnie Bonds has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island. Mr. Bonds would also like to see the enforcement of the conservation easement with regard to short term rentals.

David McIntyre has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island. Mr. McIntyre would like to see the implementation or follow through with the covenants with regard to short term rentals.

Peter Cotton, President, Dewees Property Owners’ Association, has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island. Mr. Cotton has requested that the Department allow continued renting under the regulations as they stand.

Larry McDavitt, Vice President, Dewees Property Owners’ Association, has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island. Mr. McDavitt requested that the Department allow continued renting under the regulations and allow the community to possibly come to an agreement.

Fred Schwaibold has requested to speak on the subject of short term rentals on Dewees Island.

Mr. Schwaibold brought out the effects that the short term rentals are having on water and sewer levels/capacities on the Island. Mr. Schwaibold also stated that there has never been agreement among the community on short term rentals.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the March 22, 2019 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 22, 2019 meeting as presented. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

1. Director Taylor commended Dan DuPre and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts in making the 34th Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic a success.
2. Director Taylor commended Johnny Stowe, Preserve Manager with Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, on his selection to serve on the International Association of Wildland Fire Board of Directors.
3. Chairman Pulliam commended Director Taylor on his receipt of the 2017-2018 Regional Director’s Conservation Award presented by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

1. Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast..
2. Dewees Island Conservation Easement
   This item is being deferred to executive session.

Director Taylor informed the Board that staff have been working with the General Assembly, most recently with Senate budget proposals.

Director Taylor participated in the SC Quail Council meeting on March 26.

Director Taylor reminded the Board of the Sassafras Mountain Tower Dedication on April 22.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on the I-526 widening project, the US 278 corridor improvements, the Carolina Bays Parkway and the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam.

Kevin Ryan, Director of Legislative Services, stated that the Senate has begun work on the budget. Mr. Ryan reported on the turkey bill, the oversight bills and the apprentice license bill.

1. Marine Resources
   Nothing further to report.
2. Division of Administration
   Angie Cassella, Deputy Director for Division of Administration, reported that the Customer Service Office will move to the State Farmer’s Market effective May 13, 2019. There will still be one window present in the Dennis Building for people who may not know of the move.
3. Land, Water and Conservation
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board will be meeting May 9, at Edisto Interpretive Center.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board an update on the Sassafras Tower dedication.
5. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board a brief hiring update and announced the following promotions. Jamie Landrum, MAJ to LTC; Mike Isaacs, CPT to MAJ for Regions 1, 2, and 3; DJ Riley, LT to Region 1 CPT; Steve Simpson, FSGT to LT; and Denetta Dawson, SSGT to FSGT.

1. Approval of the Acceptance of the Donation of the Great Pee Dee Mitigation Bank Site
   Mrs. Riggin distributed a map and reviewed the proposal. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition, by donation from NextEra Energy Resources, of the Great Pee Dee Mitigation Site, a 1,840.56 acre property in Dillon and Marion Counties to be incorporated into the Wildlife Management Area program, conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence and approval by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Acceptance of the Donation of Belfast Adjacent Tracts in Newberry and Laurens County from SCDOT
   Mrs. Riggin distributed a map and reviewed the proposal. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition, by donation from the Department of Transportation of the Belfast Extension, consisting of approximately 1,710 acres in Laurens County and the PH Timber Tracts, consisting of approximately 1,032 acres in Newberry County, to be incorporated into the adjacent Belfast Wildlife Management Area, conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence and approval by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of the Henderson Heritage Preserve-Miller Tract
   Mrs. Riggin distributed a map and reviewed the proposal. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board approve the Henderson Heritage Preserve License Agreement as provided by staff to allow SC DOT to conduct the mitigation activities in accordance with the License Agreement and upon approval of all applicable local, state and federal permits. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss personnel issues and to receive legal advice related to Item for Board Information (B). Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Rasor made a motion to amend the agenda to include: Item for Board Action D – Consideration of Director Taylor’s resignation upon his retirement and Item for Board Action E – Consideration of an Interim Director to serve during the interim period, upon his retirement until a new Director is appointed by the Board and confirmed by the Senate. The Board finds exigent circumstances exist to amend the agenda, specifically the need to ensure smooth success of the department leadership, if the items are not added to the agenda. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

4. Consideration of Director Taylor’s Retirement and Resignation
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board accept Director Taylor’s retirement and resignation. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Appointment of Interim Director to serve upon Director Taylor’s retirement until a new Director is Appointed by the Board and Confirmed by the Senate
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board appoint Robert Boyles as Interim Director, with all the duties required by SC Code Ann. 48-4-60 until a new Director is appointed by the Board and confirmed by the Senate. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Columbia.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.