SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Steve Shugart, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this time, Chairman McFadden passed on the gavel to newly appointed Chairman, Cary Chastain.

Chairman Chastain asked newly appointed member Keith Hinson to introduce himself.

Chairman Chastain announced that Norman Pulliam will serve as Vice Chairman.

CPT Robert McCullough reported that there are no guests.

CPT McCullough reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.

Chairman Chastain asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the April 21, 2016, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the April 21, 2016 meeting as submitted. Elizabeth Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor commended Law Enforcement officers and staff who participated in the Memorial Day events in Horry County.

Director Taylor commended Brittany Caldwell of the Executive Office, our DNR graduate of the Budget and Control Board's Certified Public Manager (CPM) program which is a nationally accredited management development program for public managers.

Director Taylor commended 2015 DNR and Division Employees of the Year: 2015 DNR Employee of the Year from Land, Water and Conservation: Scott Harder; Law Enforcement: Mona Rhoden; Outreach and Support Services: Lisa Crosby; Marine Resources: Sue Manchester; and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Ross Catterton.

Director Taylor thanked all staff who worked on the budget and this year's legislation.

Director Taylor thanked SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program for their support.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on May 3 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee welcomed the return of member Martha Herbert. The Advisory Committee received updates on activities currently underway at Samworth WMA, 75th anniversary of public lands activities, SC Bobwhite Initiative, the increasing popularity of fishing tournaments in the state, and legislation. The Advisory Committee was informed that the Draft Aquatic Plant Management Plan has been approved and noted that no carp will be stocked in the Santee Cooper Lakes System.
2. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met August 5 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received updates on Heritage Preserves. The Advisory Committee discussed the possibility of acquiring an archeological lab. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project from the Corps of Engineers.
3. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   David Whitaker, Assistant Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met May 24 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received an updated on license revenue. The Advisory Committee received and approved the proposed 2017 budget.
4. Marine
   Mrs. Willis reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met June 10 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a presentation, from the Corps of Engineers, on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. The Advisory Committee received updates on the horseshoe crab fishery and the summer harvest of mariculture oysters.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reported on Tropical Storms Bonnie and Colin, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor noted that a great deal of time has been spent on legislation and more recently the budget.

Director Taylor attended the Caramtec Archery Park grand opening ceremony in Laurens.

Director Taylor met with Catherine Heigel, DHEC Director, about ongoing projects.

Director Taylor informed the Board that the Liberty Hill Dedication has been scheduled for Friday, July 29.

CPT Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, reported that deer management bill, cobia bill, American eel and the surety bond exemption for non-department DLEO's all passed. CPT Sabaka reported on the coyote bounty that passed. CPT Sabaka thanked Director Taylor and all staff involved with this year's legislative session.

Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport project, the Volvo project, the I-73 project, the Santee Cooper Camp Hall Commerce Park, the Mercedes-Benz factory, and the Charleston Navy Base Intermodal Facility.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that there were 100+ attendees at the Webb Center Open House Field Day. Mrs. Cope informed the Board that Billy Dukes recently graduated from the National Conservation Leadership Institute. Mrs. Cope stated that due to ongoing problems with dikes, there will be no hunts at Samworth for one year.
2. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported on the purchase of Indigo Hunt Club. COL Frampton informed the Board that Take One Make One hunts and a fishing rodeo have been made possible through a partnership with the Department of Corrections' Wateree Correctional facility and DNR. COL Frampton reported on activities during bike week.
3. Marine Resources
   Nothing further to report.
4. Outreach and Support Services
   Nothing further to report.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, commended Scott Harder for his selection as DNR Employee of the Year. Mr. Rentiers then gave the Board a brief update on water planning activities.

1. Donation to Ducks Unlimited Canada
   Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reviewed the Donation to Ducks Unlimited Canada as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board approve $50,134 to be contributed to Ducks Unlimited Canada from the South Carolina Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp and Print Committee account. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund
   Mr. Meggie reviewed the request to use the interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund, not to exceed $195,000, for the appropriate license revenue expenditures. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the use of interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Heritage Trust Bond Repayment
   Mr. Meggie 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. Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board authorize the transfer of $3,682,000 from the Heritage Land Trust to the Heritage Trust Revenue Proceeds Fund held by the State Treasurer's Office. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. 2016-17 Duck Stamp Budget
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the proposed 2016-17 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the proposed 2016-17 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The July meeting of the Board will be held Wednesday, July 20 at the Environmental Learning Center at Edisto Island State Park, SC.

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.