The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, in Room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Mike McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Scott Whitaker, Director, CCA; Senator Chip Campsen; Scott Moore, South Carolina Interactive; Joe Pulliam, Board member Norman Pulliam’s brother; Senator Ronnie Cromer; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the April 16, 2010, meeting minutes. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the April 16, 2010, meeting as submitted. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Elizabeth Bradley and Scott Meister on their graduation from the Budget and Control Board’s Certified Public Manager Program.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Law Enforcement
      Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met May 6. The Advisory Committee received a legislative update, an overview of Region 3 activities and presentations on the Deer Management Program and the Savannah River Coyote Study. Col. Taylor also reported on the two recent boating accidents at Lake Murray that resulted in four fatalities.
   2. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met on April 20 (workshop format) and May 11. The Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the proposed FY 2011 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries License Fund Projects. Mr. Boyles noted that this information was sent in the Board meeting package as information and requested that it be an action item for the June 23 meeting.
   3. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met April 22. The Advisory Committee approved the 2009 Annual Report as presented. The first tournament in the Series will be held at Bohicket Marina, May 12-15. The Carolina Shootout is scheduled for August 26-28 at Cape Hatteras, NC. The Advisory Committee voted and approved the nomination of Greg Smith, of Georgetown, to fill Robert Faith’s upcoming vacancy on the Advisory Committee. The Board made and approved a motion to change the language in rule 5 to address the time frame in which a blue marlin must be cleaned. The Advisory Committee was advised that five of the refurbished satellite tags made possible by the Fin Pate family have arrived and will be deployed at the Bohicket Tournament.
      
      Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the 2009 Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Annual Report as included in the Board package. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   4. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met May 6. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Kolb Site. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Cheraw State Park registration agreement to which they made taxonomic changes and added verbiage to allow prescribed burning. The Heritage Trust Advisory Committee made and passed a motion regarding International Boulevard, Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve. After a brief discussion, Mr. Pulliam made a motion to authorize the DNR staff to conclude negotiations on the improvement of Burroughs Road/International Blvd., so long as mitigation for the natural and cultural assets of the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve is protected. The Board also recommends that, prior to any road improvement, the mitigation responsibilities of the county be expressed in a binding legal document. The agreement should include: 1) three animal passages, 2) fencing for the entire length of the roadway, and 3) a stipulation that Horry County acquire the entire right-of-way for the second phase of construction to the southeast which eventually will be the east bound lanes. The Board also requests that the new road be bordered by heavy bear fencing along the entire length currently proposed to be fenced. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Rentiers reported that the Advisory Committee approved the FY 2011 budget and asked that it be an action item for the June 23 meeting.
8. Items for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, distributed copies of SC’s Tornado Climatology 1950-2009. Dr. Mizzell reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state. Dr. Mizzell reported that the Drought Response Committee will likely meet to discuss the possible drought declaration for some counties.
9. Items for Board Action
   1. 2010 Commercial Shrimp Trawl Season Opening
      Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board authorize the Director and Marine Resources Division Deputy Director permission to open all or portions of the general trawling area within state waters for the shrimp trawl fishery, based on analysis of data from trawls conducted by DNR Crustacean Management and Research staff, consultation with numerous members of the commercial shrimp fishery and consideration of other pertinent factors after consulting with the Board. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. Proposed SC Deer Hunter Survey Instrument
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the proposed questions for the deer hunter survey. The turnaround time for the survey is anticipated to be 30 days. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the proposed SC Deer Hunter Survey Instrument with the addition of a question about antler restriction. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   3. Updated Long Branch Heritage Preserve Management Plan
      Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the updated Long Branch Heritage Preserve Management Plan as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   4. Updated Buzzard Roost Heritage Preserve Management Plan
      Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the updated Buzzard Roost Heritage Preserve Management Plan as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton briefed the Board on the current budget situation.
11. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, reported that meetings have been held with the Corps of Engineers regarding guidelines for general permits for waterfowl areas and the Clydesdale Mitigation Bank. Mr. Perry also reported briefly on I-73, Santee Cooper’s offshore wind energy proposal and the draft Environmental Assessment for the Saluda Dam Hydroelectric Project.
12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael distributed and briefly referenced the new “State of the Birds” report prepared by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative and the SC 2009 Deer Harvest Report. Mr. Carmichael also briefly reported on the results of a recent bass tournament held at the Santee Cooper Lakes.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, introduced Scott Moore, SC Interactive. Mr. Moore briefed the Board on the safeguards SCI has put in place to make the beginning of the year license sales work smoothly.
    4. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers reported that he and Bud Badr participated in the first meeting of the Savannah River Basin Advisory Council.
13. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal, contractual and personnel matters. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board appointment and reappointment nominations as recommended by the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board
    
    Reappointments:
    Edward P. Holder, Jr., Greenville; Dr. T. Rhett Spenser, Jr., Florence; and Mr. Jim Shannon, Isle of Palms
    
    Appointments:
    Mr. Gregory “Greg” W. Smith, Pawleys Island; and Mr. Peter M. Loy, Mt. Pleasant (Mr. Loy was previously appointed to fill the unexpired term of Steven Chryst)
    
    Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The June Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010, in Charleston.
    
    The July Board meeting will be held Wednesday, July 7, 2010, in Charleston.
    
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.