AMENDED
MINUTES
BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
NOAA-National Ocean
Service Laboratory Auditorium
Charleston, South Carolina
Friday, April 21, 2000
10:00 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 1000 a.m. on Friday, April 21, 2000, at the NOAA-National Ocean Service Laboratory Auditorium, Charleston, 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 Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, Russell Holliday, Dr. Julius Leary, Malloy McEachin 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.
Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.
Cary Chamblee introduced the following guests: Jane Theiling, Mayor Pro Temp of Folly Beach and Tony Conner, City Administrator of Folly Beach.
Mr. Chamblee stated that there were no requests for constituency comment.
Billy McTeer asked Bill Mahan to present a special recognition award to Fred Best upon his retirement after 33 years service as Wildlife Technician.
Billy McTeer asked John Frampton to present the next special recognition to Bill Mahan. Mr. Frampton stated that he had accepted an award on behalf of the Department that should have more appropriately been accepted by Mr. Mahan. The award that was presented to the Department was the Taking Wing Award, the national award recognizing outstanding contributions made by a partnership. Mr. Frampton stated that the partnership recognized was the Tidwin Wildlife Complex on Francis Marion Forest, which involved DNR, Ducks Unlimited and Forest Service.
Dr. Sandifer announced that Dr. Lesesne was recently presented the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Hodges for his 28 years of service as President of Wofford College, plus his previous years as a faculty member.
A.Morris Island Lighthouse
Chairman Lesesne asked Robert New of Save the Light, Inc. to make his presentation to the Board. Mr. New stated that the members of Save the Light, Inc., were present to donate the Morris Island Lighthouse to the Department. By the State taking title of the lighthouse it allows for eligibility of Corps of Engineer funds. Mr. New introduced Doug Bostick, Chairman of Save the Light, Inc., to proceed with the presentation.
Mr. Bostick reviewed briefly the history of the Morris Island Lighthouse and presented slides of its current state.
Dr. Sandifer asked Jim Quinn to explain a change that has been made in the current document with regard to funds.
Dr. Leary commended members of Save the Light, Inc., for their efforts with this project. At this time, Dr. Leary made a motion that the Department adopt the Agreement of Transfer from Save the Light, Inc., to the Department's Heritage Trust Program. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Leary made a motion to accept the Lease Agreement as presented to the Department with the amendment, once the Deed has been transferred to the Department. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
A.The Hunley Raising
John Miglarese introduced Harry Pecorelli, underwater archaeologist. Mr. Pecorelli described the recovery of the Hunley and the processes that will be used in the raising of the Hunley.
Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the March 24, 2000, meeting. Ms. Holliday made a motion that the minutes of the March 24, 2000, meeting be approved as presented. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
A.Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Ms. Holliday reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met in St. Stephen and toured the rediversion project and the fish hatchery. The Committee received an update from Miller White on the fishery programs in that area. Breck Carmichael updated the Committee on the Division budget as well as program and personnel needs for the future. Mr. Carmichael also updated the Committee on legislative activities.
B.Marine
Mr. Gregg reported that the Marine Advisory Committee held their meeting and retreat in Beaufort. The Committee received an update on the growth trends in the Beaufort area and the effects on the natural resources. Mr. Gregg stated that the Committee received an update on the Coastal Fisheries legislation implementation and an update on the advisory concerning mercury in mackerel. Mr. Gregg reported that Lt. Thomas gave the Committee an update on law enforcement issues.
C.Governor's Cup
Dr. Miglarese reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Board held their meeting on April 5. Dr. Miglarese reported that Bobby Hood has replaced Bill Cox as Chairman of the Governor's Cup Board. Dr. Miglarese asked Board Members to review the Governor's Cup Annual Report and nomination slate for action at the June meeting.
A.Approval of the NRCS South Darlington Watershed Plan
Freddy Vang reviewed the highlights of the NRCS South Darlington Watershed Plan that had previously been mailed to the Board. Ms. Holliday made that motion that the Board accept the South Darlington Watershed Plan as presented. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
B.Palmetto Invitational Water Ski Show - Lake Paul Wallace
Mac Watson and Paul League reviewed the proposed amendments to the Rules and Regulations for Lake Paul Wallace, Marlboro County. After a lengthy discussion, no action was taken.
C.Heritage Trust Management Plans
1.Victoria Bluff
Johnny Stowe reviewed the proposed management plan for Victoria Bluff. Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the proposed management plan for Victoria Bluff as presented. Ms. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2.Dungannon Plantation
Mr. Stowe reviewed the proposed management plan for Dungannon Plantation. Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board approve the proposed management plan for Dungannon Plantation as presented. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3.Crosby's Oxypolis
Jamie Dozier reviewed the proposed management plan for Crosby's Oxypolis. Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve the proposed management plan for Crosby's Oxypolis as presented. Mr. Gregg seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4.Old Island
Mr. Dozier reviewed the proposed management plan for Old Island. Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board approve the proposed management plan for Old Island as presented. Dr. Leary seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
A.Executive Office
1.Director
Dr. Sandifer thanked Sally Galloway with NOAA for providing the facilities for this meeting.
Dr. Sandifer commended Jim Goller, Mary Pugh and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts with the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic.
Dr. Sandifer reported that he attended the Governor's Summit on Growth held on March 26-28 in Greenville.
Dr. Sandifer stated that he appeared before the Senate Finance Subcommittee for the Department's budget hearing.
Dr. Sandifer attended a reception and meeting on March 29, with Peter Beattie, Premier of Queensland, Australia.
Dr. Sandifer participated in the DNR Regional meeting held at SC Department of Archives and History on March 29, for employees in Calhoun, Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter Counties. Dr. Sandifer noted that the next regional meeting scheduled for May 23 in Florence.
Dr. Sandifer reported that he gave a welcome and opening remarks at the International Conference on Effects of Oil Spills on Wildlife on March 30 in Myrtle Beach.
Dr. Sandifer participated in the Corps of Engineers' ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the St. Stephen Power House on April 3.
Dr. Sandifer took part in the River Management Society Symposium held in Charleston on April 17-21.
Dr. Sandifer reported that the FEMA Congaree Flood appeal is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26.
XII.Executive Session
At this time, Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss legal, contractual and personnel matters.
Following the Executive Session, the regular meeting was resumed and participants were invited into the meeting.
Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board accept the Fowler Tract into the Heritage Trust Preserve Program. Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
1.Habitat Protection Activities
John Frampton informed the Board that a Habitat
Summit is scheduled for May 16, at the SC Department of Archives and History.
The participants in this Summit will be agency directors, federal agency
partners, conservation minded groups and some key and influential individuals in
the State. The purpose of the Summit is to develop a habitat protection plan
that can be carried forward by entities outside DNR a
private/public partnership.
2.Legislative Report
Derrick Meggie reported on S 753 - regulatory authority on WMA's; H 4703 - high fence; H 4864 - shad; S 12 - forest and farm land protection and distributed the latest version of the road hunting bill.
XV.Deputy Directors' Reports
The Deputy Directors had no reports.
Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, May 19, 2000, in Columbia at 10:00 a.m., with the Agency Head Training Session being held at 9:00 a.m.
The June meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, June 16, 2000, in Columbia.
It was suggested that a Board Retreat be held in July or August.
XVII.Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought
before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.