SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Keith Hinson led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, introduced Roger Hall, Executive Budget Office and Jason Johnson, The Conservation Fund.

Mr. Boyles informed the Board that Mr. Johnson has made a request to address the Board. Mr. Johnson thanked Director Taylor for the partnership and smooth working relationship during his tenure.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the April 18, 2019 meeting minutes. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the April 18, 2019 meeting as presented. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

1. Director Taylor commended Emily Cope and staff involved in planning and coordinating the Sassafras Mountain Tower Dedication ceremony held on April 22.
2. Director Taylor commended Chairman Pulliam on his upcoming receipt of the Neville Holcombe Distinguished Citizenship Award.
3. Director Taylor presented Rose Marie Scheibler with the Meritorious Service Award.
4. Chairman Pulliam commended Director Taylor on his receipt of the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Legacy Award 2018.
5. Chairman Pulliam informed the Board that Director Taylor was recognized by the SC Senate and presented with a Senate Resolution outlining his years of dedicated service to the State and SCDNR.
6. On behalf of the Board, Chairman Pulliam presented Director Taylor with a Benelli shotgun.
7. Chairman Pulliam presented Director Taylor with the Meritorious Service Award.

1. Land, Water and Conservation
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met April 25 at Parker Annex Archaeology Center. The Advisory Committee toured the facility. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Cultural Resources Program. The Advisory Committee approved the conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments that are before the Board for consideration.
2. Heritage Trust
   Mr. Rentiers reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met May 9 at the Edisto Beach Interpretive Center. The Advisory Board received an update on the Coastal Cultural Resources Program. The Advisory Board approved property acquisitions. The Advisory Board then toured Pockoy Island.
3. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   Phil Maier, Marine Resources Division, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met May 14 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received an update on license sales. The Advisory Committee reviewed and approved the 2020 budget. The Advisory Committee passed a resolution for Director Taylor thanking him for his leadership and years of service to the Department.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, informed the Board that some staff of the Climate Office attended the Hurricane Hunter display at Charlotte, NC and set up a booth at the event. Dr. Mizzell noted that a new hurricane and tropical storm website has been created. Dr. Mizzell reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.

Director Taylor informed the Board that the General Assembly has adjourned and the budget is now in conference committee.

Director Taylor attended the Governor’s Hurricane Tabletop Exercise.

Director Taylor, COL Frampton and MAJ Downer met with staff of the National Wild Turkey Federation to discuss future plans and partnership opportunities.

Kevin Ryan, Director of Legislative Services, distributed an updated tracking report and reported that the turkey bill passed and four of the bills recommended by the Legislative Oversight Committee passed. Mr. Ryan reported that no further action was taken on the apprentice hunting license bill, the remaining Legislative Oversight Committee clean up bills, the release of pen mallard bill, or the tripletail and spadefish bill.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, distributed and briefly reviewed the settlement for the M/V Everreach oil spill.

1. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, thanked Director Taylor for his leadership and friendship. COL Frampton gave the Board a brief update on law enforcement activities. COL Frampton announced that the current class is finished with the academy.
2. Marine Resources
   Mr. Boyles thanked Director Taylor for his leadership and friendship. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that they are continuing to monitor shrimp stocks to open the remainder of state waters to shrimp trawling. Mr. Boyles reported that shellfish season will close May 31.
3. Division of Administration
   Angie Cassella, Deputy Director for Division of Administration, gave the Board an update on the move of the Boat Titling/License Office to the StateFarmer’s Market.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
   Mr. Rentiers thanked Director Taylor for his leadership and friendship. Mr. Rentiers then gave the Board a brief update on the Pockoy Island Native American Shell Ring project.
5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, had nothing further to report, but also thanked Director Taylor for his leadership and his work toward securing state appropriated funds for the division.

1. Updated Agency Policies
   Eva Smith, Human Resources Director, briefly reviewed the policies for consideration, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board approve the updated Agency Policies as presented. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund
   Mrs. Cassella reviewed the request for use of Wildlife Endowment Fund, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund, an amount not to exceed $270,000.00, as presented. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Property Acquisition – Acceptance of Donation – Horry County
   Mrs. Riggin reviewed the information, which was sent separately from the meeting packet, on the Property Acquisition – Acceptance of Donation – Horry County. Mr. Hinson recused himself from voting due to a potential conflict of owning property adjoining the property discussed. A copy of Mr. Hinson’s letter is included as the last page of the minutes. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition, by donation from Horry County, of the Horry County Mitigation Bank Site, a 3,707.6 acre property in Horry County to be incorporated into the Heritage Trust Program as a part of Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve as recommended by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board, condition upon the success completion of all due diligence and approval by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss contractual matters related to potential acquisitions of real property related to items (D, E, F and G) and to discuss appointments to advisory boards related to item (H). Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

4. Potential Property Acquisition in Lancaster County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition adjoining Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve/WMA in Lancaster County. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Potential Property Acquisition in Greenville County
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition adjoining Tall Pines WMA in Greenville County. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Potential Property Acquisition in Aiken County
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition in Aiken County near the Bear Branch Heritage Preserve and the expenditure of up to $10,000 of Heritage Trust funds for associated due diligence activities. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Potential Property Acquisition in Edgefield County
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition in Edgefield County near the Bear Branch Heritage Preserve and the expenditure of up to $10,000 of Heritage Trust funds for associated due diligence activities. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments as recommended and approved by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
   • Appointment:
     Barbara S. Jenkins of Chesterfield – 05-16-19 to 01-31-21
   • Reappointments:
     Troy M. Diel of Berkeley – 05-16-19 to 04-29-23
     William S. Simpson III of Charleston – 05-16-19 to 04-29-23
     Willie D. Sarratt of Cherokee – 05-16-19 to 04-07-23
     I.M. Benton of Colleton – 05-16-19 to 04-23-23
     D. Terrell Smith of Hampton – 05-16-19 to 04-29-23
     Jason R. Price of Saluda – 05-16-19 to 02-27-23
   Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, June 27, 2019 in Columbia.

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