The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, May 20, 2015, at the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center, 22 Hobcaw Road, Georgetown, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Norman Pulliam and Elizabeth Willis. Board members Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe and Larry Yonce's absences were excused. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Joe Moran, US Corps of Engineers, Charleston District; Tim Fudge, US Corps of Engineers, Charleston District; Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited; Al Clark, Ducks Unlimited; George Chastain, Baruch Foundation; Wendy Allen, North Inlet-Winyah Bay NEER; Bill Short, Ducks Unlimited; Craig LeSchack, Ducks Unlimited; Tony Pope, Ducks Unlimited, State Chairman; Marvin Davant, SC Conservation Bank; Matt Balding, Ducks Unlimited; James Meadows, Ducks Unlimited; and Brett Baker, Ducks Unlimited.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael reported that there were no requests for constituent comments.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the March 19, 2015, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 19, 2015, meeting as submitted. Elizabeth Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   George Chastain, Executive Director, Baruch Foundation, welcomed the group and gave an overview of the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center.
   
   Tim Fudge and Joe Moran, US Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, presented Director Taylor and Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, with the first National Volunteer Award for the SC DNR Team's effort on the St. Stephen Fish Lift renovation.
   
   Tony Pope, Craig LeSchack and Bill Short, Ducks Unlimited, presented Director Taylor with a plaque recognizing the SCDNR for their 50 years of contributing to habitat conservation on the Canadian breeding grounds.
   
   Director Taylor congratulated board member Norman Pulliam on receiving the 2015 Clemson Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award.
   
   Director Taylor commended Breck Carmichael and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff who worked with him as he hosted and participated as Chair of the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture Management Board meeting held in Charleston on March 18-19.
   
   Director Taylor commended Denise Frost and volunteers from across the agency for their efforts in making the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic on March 27-29 a success.
   
   Director Taylor commended Amanda Stroud and agency staff who worked on the FLW College Fishing National Championship events on April 16-18 in Columbia.
   
   Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff who worked on the First Annual DNR Youth Sporting Clay Open held at the Palmetto Shooting Sports Complex in Edgefield on Saturday, April 18, with over 1400 participants, family and friends in attendance.
   
   Director Taylor commended Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division and Jay Butfiloski on selection of DNR to receive one of the Ten Notable State Document Awards for 2015 for the South Carolina Alligator Hunting Guide for 2014.
   
   Director Taylor commended the DNR March of Dimes Committee - Chairman BethAnn Reeves, members Ken Prosser, Susan Johnson, Vicky Heyward, Debbie Miller, Jennifer Konarski and Angie Cassella - for their efforts in raising money for March of Dimes.
8. Director's Briefings
   Director Taylor gave the Board an update on the budget.
   
   Director Taylor informed the Board that the turkey bill has been passed, ratified and signed.
   
   Director Taylor informed the Board that Bob Perry and Breck Carmichael represented DNR at the Interagency Coordination meeting on Project Soter (Volvo) on April 15 in Pinopolis.
   
   Director Taylor attended the graduation ceremony for our latest class of DNR Officers at the Criminal Justice Academy on April 17.
   
   Director Taylor and CPT Robert McCullough met with Senator Tom Alexander on April 22.
9. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met May 5 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received reports on hunting ethics and hunter education classes, the Aquatic Plant Management Plan, the mid-season waterfowl survey, and legislation.
   2. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met May 7 at Woods Bay State Park. The Advisory Committee received updates on Fort Frederick and the Haile Gold Mine Project. The Advisory Committee approved the amendments to the FY 2016 budget that is included on the Board meeting agenda for action.
   3. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met May 19 in Charleston. Mr. Boyles noted that Mrs. Willis is serving as the Board representative on the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee received staff recommendations for next year's proposed projects. The Advisory Committee received an update on revenue through April. The Advisory Committee unanimously passed a motion approving the FY 16 budget as presented.
10. Item for Board Information
    1. Herpetology Projects in SC
       Will Dillman, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, gave the Board a brief presentation outlining the history of the program, partners, goals and challenges, current projects, education and outreach, and regulations for reptiles and amphibians.
    2. Climate Update
       Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with presentation on the 2015 hurricane season and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
11. Item for Board Action
    1. Approval of 2014 Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Annual Report
       Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the 2014 Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Annual Report as included in the meeting package. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Haile Mitigation Trust Fund Management Budget
       Mrs. Cope reviewed the proposed Haile Mitigation Trust Fund Management Budget as included in the meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the Haile Mitigation Trust Fund Management Budget as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Amendments to FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget
       Mr. Rentiers reviewed the proposed amendments to the FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget as included in the meeting package. Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the Amendments to the FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Executive Session
    Mrs. Willis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
13. Open Session
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the conveyance of an additional 10 feet of right-of-way along Church Landing Road within the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve to Horry County. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board authorize the release of $100,000 from the Mitigation Trust Fund to be used toward the Beaufort County Conservation Easement Mitigation Plan as outlined. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board appoint Jonathan M. Rabon of Galivants Ferry to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee, term expiring on June 30, 2019 and reappoint William L. Hiott, Jr. (Sam) of Charleston for a second term expiring on June 30, 2019. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board reappoint Frank E. Gibson, III, of Beaufort to the Marine Advisory Committee, term expiring June 30, 2019. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the nominations for reappointment to the Governor's Cup Billfishing Advisory Committee for Bucky Morris, Thomas Hancock and Steven Leasure, all of Charleston, terms expiring June 30, 2018. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Director Taylor reported that interviews for the IT Director position have been completed.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board an update on the water assessment project.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Law Enforcement
       COL Frampton reported on the awards earned at the academy by the latest class of officers. COL Frampton informed the Board that these officers should be in the field by mid-June. COL Frampton reported on the recent ceremony honoring fallen Game Warden L. Pressley Reeves.
    5. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles reminded the Board that the Governor's Cup kick off is this weekend. Mr. Boyles reported on the MRD Conference follow-up that was attended by staff from across the agency. Mr. Boyles briefed the board on the commercial shrimp trawling season outlook. Mr. Boyles distributed and briefly reported on a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regarding seismic testing off of South Carolina.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The June meeting of the Board will be held Thursday, June 18 in Columbia.
    
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for May 20, 2015 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.