SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Rev. Steve Shugart, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Larry Yonce led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, introduced Chip Sharpe, Outdoor Dream Foundation; John E. Wilson, Wilson Brothers; Marguerite McClam, Palmetto Consulting Engineering Group; Gary Spires, SC Farm Bureau Federation; and Austin Smallwood SC Realtors.

Mr. Boyles reported that Mr. Sharpe requested to make comments to the Board. Mr. Sharpe again thanked the Board for their support with H 3517, which allows the DNR Director special authorization to waive fees for hunting and fishing for someone under the age of 21 diagnosed with a terminal or life threatening illness or injury being sponsored by certain nonprofit charitable organizations. Mr. Sharpe showed a short video of a recent event.

Mr. Boyles reported that Ms. McClam requested to make comments to the Board. Ms. McClam’s comments were directed toward 401 and 404 Permits.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the March 23, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. Swygert made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 23, 2018 meeting as submitted. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor commended Classic Director Dan Dupre and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts in making the 33^rd Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic on March 23-25 such an outstanding success.

Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff who were involved in the High School Day for the SC Archery in the Schools Tournament on March 28, at the Sumter Exhibition Center.

Director Taylor showed a video of Representative Mike Pitts speaking from the podium about the agency and referred to the January/February 2018 issue of South Carolina Wildlife magazine and the report from Clemson entitled “The Economic Contribution of Natural Resources to South Carolina’s Economy”.

Law Enforcement
COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee toured the Webb Center on April 17 and met April 18. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on covert operations and highlights of 2017 accomplishments.

1. Climate Update
   Dr. Hope Mizzell informed the Board that in March South Carolina recruited the most volunteers to measure precipitation and won the CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) cup. Dr. Mizzell then 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. North Edisto Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board a brief presentation on the North Edisto River Basin. The presentation highlighted the Statewide Agricultural Water Use from 2002-2015; the annual surface water irrigation use by Basin; the background of the SC Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use and Reporting Act; SCDNR’s concerns with surface water regulations; the Edisto Basin model; the current water use; the groundwater summary and the total water use by facility.

Director Taylor and staff have spent a great deal of time participating in legislative meetings.

Director Taylor informed the Board of two officers who have children with health issues and the efforts of their fellow officers and their communities to hold fundraiser events to help cover the medical expenses.

Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, reported that crossover date was April 10 and the session will end on May 10. CPT Sabaka reported on the turkey sunset dates, striper, red drum and cobia legislation.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on Crab Bank and Post 45 Charleston Harbor Deepening projects.

1. Law Enforcement
   COL Frampton thanked Director Taylor for mentioning the two officers and the medical issues of their young children.
2. Marine
   Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief update on the recently completed MRD Conference. Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief update on the effects of January’s cold water temperatures.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, announced that Will Dillman has been selected to serve as the new Assistant Chief of Wildlife. Mrs. Cope commended Sarah Chaabane and freshwater fisheries staff for the efforts on the SC Youth Bass Fishing Tournament.
4. Division of Administration
   Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Division of Administration, gave the Board an update on the employee production reports.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.

1. Update of Agency Policies
   Terri McGee, Director of Human Resources, reviewed the draft policies as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the updated agency policies as presented, with the following amendment to 100.02 (P) Board members shall not use the Department’s aircraft, vehicles, and/or boats, except during authorized DNR functions. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss appointments to advisory boards related to item (B). Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

2. Law Enforcement Advisory Committee Reappointment
   Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the re-appointment to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee for a four-year term of July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2022, of the following individual: William Burke Watson, Jr. of Sumter. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board will have a workshop in May.

The next meeting of the Board will be June 21 in Columbia.

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