Minutes
Board of the Department of Natural Resources
Rembert C. Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC
June 16, 2006 10:00 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday, June 16, 2006, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina. 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, Karen Floyd and Frank Murray. Smith Ragsdale was absent. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.
- Call to Order
Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Invocation
Chairman McShane asked Rev. Ron Kenyon to offer the invocation.
- Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Introduction of Guests
Mr. Stallworth introduced Scott Whitaker with CCA.
- Constituent Comments
Mr. Stallworth stated there were no requests for constituent comment.
- Approval of Minutes
Chairman McShane asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the May 19, 2006, meeting. Mr. Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2006, meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton commended Ronnie Catoe and Amanda Londo in the Flood Mitigation Program for successfully achieving professional recognition by becoming Certified Flood Plain Managers.
Mr. Frampton commended Buddy Baker and Jay Butfiloski, members of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Fur Resources Technical Work Group on the group’s receipt of the 2006 Group Achievement Award from The Wildlife Society.
Mr. Frampton commended Paul League for his work on the Schlumberger case. This case began 14 years ago and is now coming to a conclusion where Schlumberger is agreeing to remediation for PCB contamination in Lake Hartwell.
Chairman McShane presented the Board’s “Making a Difference, Naturally” award to Junior Matthews and Lynwood Kearse for their work with the Take One Make One program.
- Advisory Committee Reports
- Marine
The Marine Advisory Committee meeting was postponed until September.
- Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
David Whitaker reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board met on June 8. Mr. Whitaker distributed copies and reviewed the proposed 2007 budget, as approved by the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board for DNR Board approval. Chairman McShane noted that included in the Advisory Board’s motion is the following caveat “depending on available funding, up to $150,000 in excess of the $982,350 approved budget be placed in a dedicated fund for artificial reef deployment in areas not supplemented by the Cooper River Bridge materials.” Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation and approval of the Saltwater Recreational Advisory Board’s expenditure for 2006-2007. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Items for Board Information
No Wake Zones
Col. Taylor distributed legislation recently passed concerning marking of waters. Col. Taylor gave the Board a brief history of the process used to create no wake zones. Col. Taylor noted that there have been requests to make the process more uniform but each case has to be decided on individually because of the differences in the areas. Col. Taylor informed the Board that no wake zones are determined based on safety issues.
- Items for Board Action
Proposed 2006-2007 Dove Season
Breck Carmichael reviewed the recommendations for the 2006-2007 Dove Season as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Carmichael noted that the federal framework has not been received from USFWS yet, but should be within the next couple of weeks. Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that this topic is being presented early so that it will be included in the Rules and Regulations. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the 2006-2007 Dove Season as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Director’s Briefings
Mr. Frampton mentioned the Attorney General Opinion on legislation, R 311, dealing with the State Law Enforcement Training Council.
Mr. Frampton informed the Board that he and Stephen Davis participated in a meeting with Matt Hogan, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife, at the Brosnan Forest on June 1 to announce Private Stewardship Grant Projects in South Carolina.
Mr. Frampton noted that DNR will host the Atlantic Flyway Council meeting in Charleston on July 17-20.
Legislation
Derrick Meggie reported on the 2007 budget as passed by the legislature. Mr. Frampton commended Mr. Meggie for his work with the Senate and the House on the budget.
- Deputy Directors’ Reports
- Outreach and Support Services
Carole Collins reported that 500,000 license renewal mailers were sent out and staff from throughout the agency processed 36,000 in three weeks. Ms. Collins informed the Board that 105 participants attended the May BOW workshop and over 50% were first time attendees. Ms. Collins stated that she, Derrick Meggie and Don Winslow will take the minority interns to Camp Wildwood for the day.
- Marine Resources
David Whitaker reviewed the dates and locations for the public meetings.
- Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy Vang distributed copies of Tropical Storm Alberto impacts in South Carolina. Mr. Vang also informed the Board that Debbie Miller has been hired as the business manager for the Land, Water and Conservation Division.
- Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that Mac Watson, Sally Murphy, David Allen and Lynn McDowell will be retiring the end of June. Mr. Carmichael reported that there is a small wildfire, approximately 25 acres, at Jocassee Gorges.
- Law Enforcement
Col. Taylor reported that the 2nd class of officers are finished at the academy and ready for work. Col. Taylor informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Division has formed an Honor Guard and the volunteers are in training.
- Executive Session
At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Return to Regular Session
The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
Chairman McShane noted that there were no items discussed in executive session requiring Board action.
- Time and Location of the Next Meeting
The July Board meeting will be held on Friday, July 21, 2006, at Fort Johnson.
The August Board meeting will be held on August 18, 2006.
- Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.