The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday, April 20, 2001, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335, Columbia, South Carolina. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Dr. Joab Lesesne presided at the meeting. Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday, Jr., and Malloy McEachin. Absent from the meeting were Danny Ford and Dr. Douglas Rucker. Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Meditation
   Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.
3. Introduction of Guests
   Chairman Lesesne asked Cary Chamblee to introduce guests present at the meeting. Mr. Chamblee introduced Joey Holleman, The State newspaper; and Rebecca Parke, Forest Watch.
4. Constituency Comments
   Mr. Chamblee introduced Mr. Jim Methe and asked him to address the Board. Mr. Methes comments were directed toward a predator depredation permit. Mr. Methe, who is a trapper, would like for the Department to support a wider range of trapping and take methods for predators, especially coyotes. After discussion Mr. Methe was asked to work with Billy McTeer and his staff on this issue.
   
   Mr. Chamblee introduced Jeff Glitzenstein, SC Native Plant Society, and asked him to address the Board. Mr. Glitzensteins advocate the use of native plant materials for soil stabilization at Jocassee Gorges. Mr. McTeer offered to meet with Mr. Glitzenstein at his convenience to discuss use of native plants at Jocassee Gorges.
5. Approval of Minutes
   
   Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the March 23, 2001, meeting. Dr. Leary clarified the fact that the language concerning coyotes is not Board policy but is intended to be used as a guide for future policy and possible legislation. There being no corrections or additions Mr. Gregg made a motion that the minutes of the March 23, 2001, meeting be approved as submitted. Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   At this time Mr. Gregg asked if the Board could be provided with a list of members of the individual Jocassee Committees, meetings held and dates of upcoming meetings.
6. Presentations/Commendations
   
   Larry Nates offered an overview of the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts and its partnerships with state and federal agencies. Mr. Nates introduced members of the Associations Executive Committee and Linda Tandsill, Executive Director. Mr. Nates spoke of the Departments proposed budget cuts and of their concerns regarding the cuts to conservation districts funding.
   
   Dr. Sandifer commended Jim Goller, Mary Pugh and volunteers from across the agency for their outstanding job in planning and carrying out the Palmetto Sportsmens Classic. Dr. Sandifer also thanked the Harry Hampton Fund for their support.
   
   Dr. Sandifer commended Heritage Trust staff for their hard work on many recent projects having such short time frame for completion.
   
   Dr. Sandifer commended Charles Farmer for his work with the Donnelley Foundation at the ACE Basin.
   
   Dr. Sandifer commended Charles Barans and Amy Ringwood for receiving $53,422 in a grant award from the National Science Foundation for their project Research Experiences for Minorities in Marine and Environmental Science.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Ms. Holliday reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on April 12. The Committee received an update on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). The Committee had discussion on feeding wildlife as it pertains to hunting deer over bait. The Committee received updates on the budget, legislation and the Walhalla Hatchery Discharge. Billy Dukes provided information on the results of a survey conducted of hunters utilizing public fields in South Carolina.
   2. Land, Water and Conservation
      Freddy Vang reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on April 5. Mr. Vang reminded the Board that the drought regulations will come before the them for public hearing. Mr. Vang noted the release of the Reedy River Report: Managing a Watershed. Mr. Vang distributed copies of the 2001 SC Aquatic Plant Management Plan. Mr. Vang reported that Larry Turner with DHECs Water Quality Monitoring Section, discussed the development of TMDLs - or Total Maximum Daily Loads - that are being developed for the Ashley and Cooper Rivers.
8. Items for Board Action
   
   1. Amendments to FOIA Policy #500.01
      Margie Rish distributed copies of the latest draft of Policy #500.01. The earlier draft of the policy was placed on the Department website and comments received were used for this version. Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board accept the amendments to FOIA Policy #500.01 as presented (copy attached to original minutes). Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. SC Conservation Incentives Act Conservation Grant Fund
      Buford Mabry informed the Board that the legislature has enacted the Conservation Incentives Act and a part of that Act is the Conservation Grant Fund. Under the Conservation Grant Fund, the DNR Board serves ex officio as the Conservation Grant Fund Board and must administer the funds. The Board must also establish procedures and criteria for awarding grants under the fund. After a brief discussion Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board direct staff to begin developing criteria for the Conservation Incentives Act Conservation Grant Fund. Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Directors Briefings
   
   1. Executive Office
      
      Dr. Sandifer referred to copies of three articles from The State regarding FEMA/Burroughs & Chapin. Dr. Sandifer mentioned the upcoming meeting scheduled by FEMA for Friday, April 27, at the State Museum.
      
      Dr. Sandifer welcomed attendees to the Eastern Black Bear Workshop held at the Madren Center at Clemson on Marcy 26.
      
      Dr. Sandifer, Jean Cowell, Bill Pace and Cary Chamblee met with the Civil Rights and Affirmative Action subcommittee of the Legislative Black Caucus, at their request, on March 29, to discuss diversity at DNR in employment and procurement.
      
      Cary Chamblee represented Dr. Sandifer on March 30, at activities marking the Fourth Anniversary of the Sandy Island Mitigation Bank including a tour of Sandy Island and a briefing by DOT on the project.
      
      Dr. Sandifer attended the Bundrick Island dedication of the Joseph Drew Smith Lake Murray Marine Patrol Station held on March 30.
      
      At the request of Boykin Rose, Dr. Sandifer spoke at the Department of Public Safetys graduation of DPSs basic class held on April 6.
      
      Cary Chamblee and Ed Duncan attended a Federal Highway Administration and DOT partnering workshop held at Hickory Knob State Park on April 11 and 12.
      
      Dr. Sandifer attended the Land Legacy Executive Committee and Steering Committee held on April 18.
      
      Dr. Sandifer attended the House Ways and Means Committee meeting regarding the Conservation Bank Bill held the afternoon of April 18.
   2. Habitat Protection Activities
      Barry Beasley reported that the Land Legacy Initiative Committee had met primarily to work on the Conservation Bank Bill with the General Assembly. Mr. Beasley also stated that the internal committee is continuing to develop its strategy and should have it finalized by mid-summer.
10. Legislative Report Derrick Meggie updated the Board on the status of bills proposed by the Department and those that are of interest to the Department.
11. Deputy Directors Reports
    
    1. Marine and Governors Cup Billfishing Series
       John Miglarese reviewed the results of the Mercury Symposium held in Charleston. He will be sending on a letter of recommendation to Dr. Sandifer indicating a need for more in-depth analysis of mercury contamination in SC. Dr. Miglarese also reported that plans are finalized for the 2001 Series Tournaments. The Governors Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Boards annual report was approved. The nominations committee presented their slate of nominees for the GCBS board and these nominations will be passed on to the DNR Board for action.
    2. Administrative Services
       Benny Reeves stated that the Board should have each received a copy of the Departments Audit Report.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Derrell Shipes distributed copies of the 2000 Public Dove Survey, the 2000 Small Game Technical Assistance Program Landowner Survey and the SC DNR Hunter Harvest Survey 1999-2000 as conducted by Responsive Management.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Alvin Wright reported on the cases made by the Law Enforcement Division and reminded the Board that the current class for Law Enforcement Officers will graduate on May 2.
    5. Conservation Education and Communications
       Carole Collins informed the Board of the upcoming Coastal BOW. Ms. Collins also distributed a copy of an entry in the Department of Revenue Art Contest which used DNRs logo.
    6. Land, Water and Conservation
       No further report.
12. Executive Session
    At this time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss legal, contractual and personnel matters.
13. Return to Regular Session
    
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
    
    Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board reject the counter offer by Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority and direct legal staff to use any and all remedies.
    
    Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the appointments and reappointments of conservation district commissioners as presented. (copy attached to original minutes) Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, May 18, 2001, at USC-Lancaster, in the Hubbard Hall Gallery, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
15. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.