Amended Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC
Friday, June 18, 2004
9:00 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 am, on Friday, June
18, 2004, 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, Frank Murray and Smith
Ragsdale. Mr. John Frampton and staff
members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as
were various guests.
Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane asked Rev.
Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mr. Chamblee introduced Bob
Bailey, Sporting Protection League; and Marion Burnside, Chairman Emeritus, DNR
Board; and Sharon and Hunter Wright, wife and son of Col. Alvin Wright.
V. Constituent Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
Mr. McShane asked if there
were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the May 21, 2004,
meeting. Mr. Davis made a motion to
accept the minutes of the May 21, 2004 meeting as submitted. Mr. Campbell seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VII. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton welcomed Breck Carmichael to his first Board meeting as Deputy Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
Mr. Frampton commended Tom DuPré on his receipt of the Pate Award which was presented to him at the Governor’s Cup Georgetown Tournament. The Pate Award is named for Wallace F. Pate who helped pioneer the sport of Billfishing in South Carolina.
VIII. Advisory Committee Reports
A. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
Robert Boyles reported that
the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board met on June 3. The Advisory Board discussed and approved proposed
projects to be funded by receipts generated from the sale of the saltwater
recreational fisheries license.
B. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Breck Carmichael reported
that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on June 10. The Advisory Committee received a budget
update from Mr. Frampton. The Advisory
Committee received a status report from Tom Kohlsaat on the Comprehensive
Wildlife Conservation Plan. Jim Bulak
presented a summary of research on rice fields on the Cooper River
Corridor. Derrell Shipes provided an
update on new procedures for handling alligator complaints. Tim Ivey gave the Advisory Committee a black
bear status report.
C. Conservation Education and Communications
Mrs. Floyd reported that
the Advisory Committee received an update on the budget situation, staffing,
and direct mail license renewal. The
Advisory Committee watched portions of the Wildlife Show which aired June 12,
received a report on the 2004 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, and discussed the
magazine’s promotional efforts. Mrs.
Floyd distributed copies of a proposed questionnaire for the Conservation
Education and Communications Advisory Committee members.
Chairman McShane commended
Board Member Evans for his work on contacting each member of the Marine
Advisory Committee and his plan to meet with each member before the next Board
meeting.
Board Member Murray will be
serving as the representative for the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory
Committee.
IX. Items for Board
Information
A. Hurricane Season Overview and Predictions
Hope Mizzell gave the Board a brief update on the Southeastern Climate Office and its relation with the Emergency Management Program and also reviewed the hurricane predictions for the upcoming season.
B. Update on the Salt-Water Intrusion Studies on Hilton Head Island
and Sound Science Initiative
Mr.
David Baize, Director of Water Monitoring, Assessment, and Protection Division
with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), provided
a presentation on the Sound Science Initiative underway in the Low
Country. Mr. Baize gave a brief
historical background on pre-development and pre-pumping in the region prior to
the 1940’s. At that time, there was a natural flow of groundwater from Savannah
to Hilton Head. The gradient has been completely reversed, and currently
groundwater flows toward Savannah. This negative flow is due to pumping in the
Savannah area from the upper Floridan aquifer.
Mr. Baize displayed a map containing wells with concentrations of sodium
chloride exceeding 250 milligrams/liter, which is the drinking water
standard. Mr. Baize reviewed an example
of a well where chloride levels increased to 10,000 milligrams/liter in the
upper Floridan unit. Mr. Baize
concluded South Carolina owes it to Georgia to let them follow through on the
path that was agreed upon. The agreement between South Carolina and Georgia
says South Carolina will conduct the modeling, and Georgia will propose, by
2005, the solution to the problem.
At this time, Chairman
McShane asked Vice Chairman Campbell to make a commendation presentation on
behalf of the Board. Vice Chairman
Campbell recognized Jordan Kruse for his efforts in protecting alligators
during a golf tournament. Mr. Kruse was
presented with a Certification of Appreciation from the Board and an Honorary
Jr. Officer Award from the Department.
C. Boating Safety “Zip It” Program
Robin
Camlin explained to the Board that she, Karen Swink, Mike Sabaka and Lynwood
Kearse were asked to develop a new concept to encourage the use of PFD’s. Sgt. Camlin noted that this new idea had to
be something that could be used with all forms of media and needed to be highly
recognized and associated with the DNR and boating safety. The final idea was a character, a PFD, named
Zippit. There has been a life size
mascot costume developed to be used at special events. This character will be used on billboards
and other promotional items. Sgt.
Camlin noted that Boating Safety funds are 100% federal and is required to be
used for promotional items.
Mr. Frampton took this
opportunity to inform the group that Lt. Col. Van McCarty will be deployed to
Iraq in the near future. Lt. Col.
McCarty holds the position of Battalion Commander with the National Guard.
X. Items for Board
Action
A. Morgan Island
Management Plan
Mr. Frampton stated
that there is a contractual matter with the lease that needs to be discussed in
executive session presented the management plan for Morgan Island.
B. Outside Employment Policy
Col. Wright asked the
Board to adopt the Outside Employment Policy as previously given to the Board
for review. Mr. Campbell made a
motion that the Policy be adopted as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XI. Director’s
Briefing
Mr. Frampton reviewed the current budget situation.
Mr. Frampton informed the Board that he was in Washington, DC, June 13 – June 15, to meet with Congressional Members to discuss items of interest to the members and SC DNR.
Mr. Frampton participated in the SC Sea Grant Consortium’s working reception with the Program Assessment Team on the evening of June 16 in Charleston, and participated in the Sea Grant Board of Directors meeting on June 17.
Mr. Frampton noted that there will be a Deputy directors Workshop on the evening of June 29 and all day June 30 at Donnelley.
Mr. Frampton is planning to attend the National Wild Turkey Federation building Dedication event on July 10 in Edgefield.
Legislative Report
Derrick Meggie distributed copies of the final report on this year’s legislative session.
Col. Wright explained that for several years the Law Enforcement Division has been attempting to develop more suitable uniforms for officers. Field officers have requested that a BDU type of uniform be used for field work. Mr. Frampton informed the Board that the intent is to get some test uniforms to the field and receive feedback from officers. Col. Wright noted that for the dress uniform change will be a black stripe down the trousers and web gear would be used. The dress uniform is to be used for special occasions such as funerals and court.
XII. Executive Session
At this time Mr. Campbell
made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual,
legal and personnel matters. Mr. Evans
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIII. Return to Regular Session
Mr. Evans made a motion
that DNR acquire an in-holding in the Edisto River Forest Legacy area in
Dorchester County. Mr. Davis seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Campbell made a motion
that the Board approve the license request by International Paper for
transporting harvested timber through DNR property at the Webb Wildlife
Center. Mr. Evans seconded the motion
and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Davis made a motion
that the Board instruct Director Frampton to notify the National Institute of
Health and the FDA that the option in the existing Morgan Island lease will be
honored. Mr. Evans seconded the motion
and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Law Enforcement
Chairman
McShane stated that it is with mixed emotions that Col. Wright be asked to give
his final report to the Board. Col.
Wright commended the Law Enforcement Division’s senior staff, Lt. Col. McCarty,
Maj. Taylor, Maj. Smith, and Lt. Walters.
Col. Wright also commended all officers of the Law Enforcement Division.
Chairman McShane extended the Board’s appreciation to
Col. Wright for his service. Vice
Chairman Campbell also commended Col. Wright.
2. CEC and Administrative Services
Carole
Collins gave the Board an update of the direct mail license promotion and
stated that license sales are up.
3. Marine Resources
Mr.
Boyles reported that the remaining area has been opened for commercial shrimp
trawling. Mr. Boyles informed the Board
that they are working with CCA on an artificial reef. Mr. Boyles stated that the Oyster Restoration Project has
received funds through the federal appropriations process. Mr. Boyles announced that the team from
South Carolina won the Governor’s Cup Shootout.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy
Vang showed the Board a new map of the ACE Basin as produced by Geological
Survey. This graphic showed the
compilation of geologic quadrangles that show the geologic units at the surface
of the earth.
5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Mr.
Carmichael distributed copies of the 2003 deer harvest report.
Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board appoint Dr. Byron Bailey to the marine Advisory Committee. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XV. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
The next meeting of the DNR
Board will be held Friday, July 16, 2004, in Clemson.
The August Board Meeting
will be held at the Waddell Center on Friday, August 20, 2004.
XVII. Adjournment
There being no further
business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.