The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, June 18, 2015, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, 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, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Norman Pulliam's absence was 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. Eric Skidmore, 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: Chip Sharpe, retired DNR Law Enforcement Officer; Jason Johnson, The Conservation Fund; Patty Perry and Phil Perry.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael reported that Chip Sharpe has requested to address the Board. Mr. Sharpe commended Charles Ruth and Willie Simmons, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, for their work in assisting a landowner.
   
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the May 20, 2015, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the May 20, 2015, meeting as submitted. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor presented the Meritorious Service Award to Bob Perry.
   
   Director Taylor commended Law Enforcement Officers and staff who participated in the Memorial Day events in Horry County.
   
   Director Taylor congratulated DNR retired wildlife biologist Sam Stokes, Sr. on the dedication of the Jocassee Gorges field office as the Sam W. Stokes Work Center in honor of his 41 years of service in the agency's mountain region and for his many achievements.
   
   Director Taylor commended CPT Robert McCullough and staff on recent PSA's and outreach projects.
8. Advisory Committee Report(s)
   Marine
   Mr. Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met June 12. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Artificial Reef Program. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on Offshore Fisheries Management. The Advisory Committee also received an update on blue crab fishery landings and passed a motion to allow DNR to actively manage the blue crab resource.
9. Item for Board Information
   
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with presentation on the recent heat and past records and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
10. Item for Board Action
    1. Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reviewed the Donation to Ducks Unlimited Canada as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve $35,435.50 to be contributed to Ducks Unlimited Canada from the South Carolina Migratory Waterfowl Duck Stamp and Print Committee account. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. 2015-16 Duck Stamp Budget
       Mrs. Cope reviewed the proposed 2015-16 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget as included in the Board meeting package. Elizabeth Willis made a motion that the Board approve the proposed 2015-16 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor reported that a significant amount of time has been spent at legislative meetings and working on the budget.
    
    Director Taylor reported that the Haile Gold Mine project documents were signed on May 27.
    
    Director Taylor met with Duane Parrish, Director of SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, and his Director of State Parks, on June 9 to discuss future partnership opportunities for our agencies.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board that the DNR Employee of the Year Luncheon scheduled for 12:00 Noon on Thursday, June 25, at Cook's Mountain.
    
    Director Taylor is scheduled to meet the new District Engineer of the Corps of Engineers Charleston District LTC Luzzatto and thank outgoing District Engineer LTC Litz on Wednesday, July 1.
12. Legislative Report
    Mr. Meggie reported that there will be six boating safety public meetings held statewide.
13. Environmental Report
    Nothing further to report.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       David Whitaker reported that the capture of an endangered sawfish shut down field work for a week. Mr. Whitaker gave the Board an update on loggerhead sea turtle nesting rate and the opening of the commercial shrimp season. Mr. Whitaker informed the Board that the red snapper fishery will not open this year. Mr. Whitaker reminded the Board that the Marine Resources Division is planning an open house.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Mr. Meggie introduced Mark Litz, newly hired IT Director.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope introduced Sarah Chabaane, newly hired Aquatic Education Coordinator. Mrs. Cope gave the Board a brief update on the fish kill on the Saluda River near Pelzer.
    5. Law Enforcement
       COL Frampton reported on fishing rodeos, National Safe Boating Week and Memorial Day Bikefest. COL Frampton recognized Jeff Boyer as the Law Enforcement Division's employee of the year. COL Frampton informed the Board that the new class of officers have finished all training and will be joining their respective units.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Chastain made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Director Taylor announced that CPT Mike Sabaka will be assuming the duties of the Department's legislative liaison.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The July meeting of the Board will be held Thursday, July 16 in Columbia.
    
18. 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 June 18, 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.