The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday, June 17, 2005, at the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station, North of Salem, 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 Stephen Davis, John Evans, Frank Murray and Smith Ragsdale. Vice Chairman Michael Campbell was present by telephone. Board member Karen Floyd was absent. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Ron Kenyon to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance via speakerphone.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Cary Chamblee informed the Board that there were no guests present and no requests for constituent comment.
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the May 20, 2005 meeting. There being none, Mr. Davis made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 20, 2005 meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton introduced Caroline Pinckney, Senator Gregory’s office, and informed them that she will be working with Department until the 2006 session begins.
   
   Mr. Frampton congratulated Steve de Kozlowski, Land, Water and Conservation Division, and David Whitaker, Marine Resources Division, on their selection to the 2005-2006 class of the Executive Institute.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Robert McCullough on his completion of FBI training.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Derrick Meggie for his work with the General Assembly.
   
   Breck Carmichael recognized Sally Murphy and Joan Seithel who recently had a paper published in an international journal of turtle and tortoise research. The paper is entitled, Documenting the Value of Volunteer Effort for Sea Turtle Conservation in South Carolina.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   
   1. Marine
      Mr. Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on June 10, at Fort Johnson. The Advisory Committee received a report on recreational fish tagging training. The Committee received an update on the in-water sea turtle study. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on shellfish management review. The Committee received an update on the Cooper River Bridge demolition. The next meeting of the Marine Advisory Committee is scheduled for September 9, 2005.
   2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Davis reported Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on June 14. Mr. Davis informed the Board that there was some good dialogue from Advisory Committee members relative to the preservation of the 500-foot boundary, for hunting, around county roads. The Advisory Committee received a legislative update; a briefing on the Team DNR logo and other marketing strategies; a presentation on the Rediversion Project; a presentation on the mourning dove banding program and a report on predator control.
      
      Chairman McShane recognized Robert Handley, of the Greenville Conservation District.
8. Items for Board Information
   
   1. North Edisto River Fish Kill Report
      Wade Bales reviewed the North Edisto River Fish Kill Report, as submitted to the Board in their meeting package. The total cost of the kill, including the investigation activities and personnel is $10,426.77.
      
      Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation by staff to pursue legal recourse to be reimbursed for the North Edisto River Fish Kill. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. Star Evviva Oil Spill Restoration Plan
      Ed Duncan briefed the Board on the history Star Evviva Oil Spill (1999) and the current Restoration Plan, which includes public comments. Mr. Duncan explained that all public notices and due process have been followed for this plan and the Trustees are now prepared to implement the plan. The money in the trust fund can only be released to one of the Trustee agencies. The proposal is for the Directors of the South Carolina Mitigation Trust to authorize the set up of an account, within the trust fund, to receive the monies from the federal account and proceed with the implementation of the restoration plan. Mr. Davis made a motion to establish a special account within the South Carolina Mitigation Trust Fund for the purpose of receiving funds to implement the Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan for the Star Evviva Oil Spill. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Director’s Briefing
   Mr. Frampton reported that he met with Senator Cleary on May 31, to discuss the veto of the closing of the Conway and Beaufort Offices.
   
   Mr. Frampton participated in regional hub meetings held across the State to update staff on budget, legislative and other issues: Region 2 was held on June 8 in Florence; Region 1 was held on June 9 in Clinton; Region 4 was held on June 10 in Charleston and Region 3 had two meetings held on June 14 in Columbia. Mr. Frampton asked Mr. Chamblee to give the Board the presentation on DNR’s Vision for the Future as shown at the regional hub meetings.
10. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    
    1. Land, Water and Conservation
       Freddy Vang reported that the Little Pee Dee River is officially a State Scenic River in Dillon County. Governor Sanford held a signing ceremony on June 7 with local representatives from Dillon County. Mr. Vang informed the Board that hurricane season has started earlier than normal.
    2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Breck Carmichael distributed copies of the draft plan for the 2005-06 mourning dove season. The season cannot be officially set until the framework is received from USFWS in July. The staff recommended plan is for a 70-day season/12 bag limit, starting September 3, with ½ day hunting for the first 3 days. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board ratify staff’s recommendation for the 2005-06 mourning dove season, contingent upon USFWS framework. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Carmichael gave the Board an update on the phragmites treatment on the coast.
    3. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor gave the Board an update on the Communication System. Col. Taylor reported on the success of the Courtesy Boat Exams. Col. Taylor informed the Board of the time line on the hiring process of 25 officers.
    4. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins reported that the State Auditor’s Office has completed the single audit for federal funds for FY 2003 and had no negative findings. Ms. Collins then gave the Board an update on the direct mail license promotion.
    5. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles reported on the Red Drum Angler Survey. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the 2005 Commercial Shrimp season opened June 15. Mr. Boyles commended Val Nash, Ross Self, Jim Bulak and Bob VanDolah for arranging for all fisheries scientists to have a one-day meeting. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the Harry Hampton Marine Conservation Banquet will be August 13, in Mt. Pleasant. The Governor’s Cup Awards Banquet will be held in September.
11. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Return to Regular Session
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
    
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Department acquire approximately ten acres of land in Florence County for a Regional Hub Office for a price not to exceed the appraised value. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to approve the proposed lease on the Laurel Valley Lodge. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Murray made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition of an in holding on the Little Pee Dee River as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the acquisition of Old Combahee Island, not to exceed appraised value. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion to authorize staff to develop a contract with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator for the purpose of implementing the restoration plan for the Star Evviva oil spill. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
13. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The July Board meeting will be held on Friday, July 15, 2005, in Columbia.
14. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.