The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in the auditorium of the Marine Resources Division, Charleston, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Caroline Rhodes presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, John Evans, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam and Larry Yonce. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Caroline Rhodes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Eddie Driggers, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Evans led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation Association; Bill Simpson, Charleston Conservation District; Rob Donlin, Coastal Conservation Association; Jeff Dennis, SC; Rev. Eddie Driggers, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy; and Charlotte Morrow, intern with Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy.
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Rhodes asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the April 14, 2011, meeting minutes that were distributed this morning. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the April 14, 2011, meeting as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Emily Cope on her selection to receive the U.S. Forest Service Forestry Legacy Program’s 2010 Conservation Excellence Award for her outstanding achievements and dedication to forest conservation and her work with the Forest Legacy Program.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Patty Epley and Hope Mizzell, DNR Graduates of the Budget & Control Board’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. The Certified Public Manager Program is a nationally accredited management development program for public managers.
   
   Chairman Rhodes made the following advisory committee/board appointments.
• Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee – John Evans, Chairman
• Marine Advisory Committee – Cary Chastain, Chairman
• Law Enforcement Advisory Committee – Norman Pulliam, Chairman
• Heritage Trust Advisory Board – Randy Lowe to serve as State Agency Member
• Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee – Caroline Rhodes will serve as Board representative
• Land, Water & Conservation Advisory Committee – Larry Yonce DNR Board representative
• Migratory Waterfowl Committee – Michael E. Hutchins, to serve as Chairman's designee
  
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met April 21 in Charleston. The Advisory Board finalized plans for this year’s tournaments. Mr. Boyles noted that there are no rule changes for this year. The Advisory Board discussed the 1.5% fund management fee as proposed by the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund; fundraising efforts and sponsors. The Advisory Board reviewed 2011 Carolina Shootout proposals.
   2. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met April 28 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the proposed projects for funding with FY 2012 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries license funds. The Board was provided the details of the proposed projects and Mr. Boyles requested that the Board take action on this item at their June meeting. The Advisory Committee received an update on revenue projections.
   3. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met May 5 in Columbia. The Advisory Board received presentations on the Haile Gold Mine Project and the Congaree Creek Trail Project. The Advisory Board received a budget update and approved the FY 2012 budget. Mr. Rentiers requested that the Board take action on this item at their June meeting. Mr. Rentiers then distributed the updated revenue figures as provided to the Advisory Board.
8. Item for Board Information
   Board Policies
   After review of the policies included in the Board meeting package, Director Frampton informed the Board that staff will make the necessary revisions to the policies and resubmit for information at a later date.
9. Item for Board Action
   Heritage Trust Bond Repayment
   Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, informed the Board that they are the Trustees for the SC Heritage Trust Fund and their authorization is required to authorize the transfer of funds from the Heritage Land Trust to the Heritage Trust Revenue Proceeds Fund to fulfill the obligation for repayment of the Revenue Bonds, Series 2006 issued by the SC Heritage Trust Fund. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board authorize the transfer of $1,843,275 from the Heritage Land Trust to the Heritage Trust Revenue Proceeds Fund held by the State Treasurer’s Office. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
10. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief budget update.
    
    Mr. Frampton met with Ken Salazar, Secretary of Interior, in Washington on May 10 to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our outdoor resources.
    
    Emily Cope, Assistant Director, Special Projects and National Affairs, informed the Board that they allowed staff to proceed with due diligence activities and project set up for a potential acquisition near Calhoun Falls, Laurens County. Ms. Cope requested that the Board authorize staff to move forward with the acquisition and expenditure of funds from the Reedy River Mitigation Trust Fund for the acquisition. Mr. Lowe made a motion authorizing staff to move forward with the acquisition near Calhoun Falls, Laurens County, and the expenditure of up to $1.33 million from the Reedy River Mitigation Trust Fund. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
11. Legislative
    Mr. Frampton informed the group that the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee’s Wildlife Subcommittee will be discussing H. 3049 which would change the agency to a Cabinet agency.
12. Environmental Programs
    Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, had nothing further to report.
13. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Ms. Collins gave the Board a brief report on the license mailer. Ms. Collins gave the Board an overview of the agency budget.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief report on the State Water Plan update.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Charles Ruth reviewed the steps taken to assist the Board with the deer management plan approved at the December 2010 meeting. Mr. Ruth also added information on the effects coyotes are having on the deer population.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Capt. Chisolm Frampton gave the Board a brief update on Law Enforcement activities during this year’s turkey season.
    5. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief overview of the processes used to determine the various season openings and closures.
14. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Evans made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    At this time the Board and staff reviewed and revised the agency’s 100 Day Plan.
    
16. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The June Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2011, in Charleston.
    
    The July Board meeting will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Edisto Interpretive Center.
    
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.