The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, in the clubhouse at Toler's Cove Marina, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Caroline Rhodes presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, John Evans, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe and Norman Pulliam. Board member Larry Yonce's absence was excused. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Caroline Rhodes called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Evans led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Andy Hammill, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission; Suzi DuRant, SC Marine Association; Tom Wilson, Port Royal Landing Marina, Inc.; Craig Pawlyk, Jon Guerry Taylor and Associates, Inc.; Tom McCoy, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Jennifer Koches, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Jack Walker, GEL Engineering; Kirby Marshall, ATM; Rob Donlin, Coastal Conservation Association; Austin Bahker, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission; Penny Westerfellows, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission; Carl DiPace, commercial fisherman and member of Marine Advisory Committee; Robbie Freeman; Barbara Neale, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control; Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy; and Madison Walker, Governor's Office.
5. Constituent Comments
   Suzi DuRant, Executive Director, SC Marine Association, spoke with the Board about the Boating Infrastructure Grant. Ms. DuRant stated that while they are glad this grant is open, they object to the fact that DNR will only deal with governmentally-owned facilities.
   
   Robbie Freeman spoke with the Board about the Boating Infrastructure Grant and stated that the megadock at the Charleston City Marina was constructed with this grant and matched with private funds.
   
   Chairman Rhodes requested Director Frampton, Mr. Winslow, Ms. DuRant and Mr. Freeman to meet and discuss this issue.
   
   Carl DiPace spoke with the Board about needed revisions to Title 50 as it relates to commercial fishermen.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Rhodes asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the May 11, 2011, meeting minutes that were distributed this morning. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the May 11, 2011, meeting as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Chairman Rhodes appointed former Chairman Michael McShane to serve as her designee on the Savannah River Maritime Commission.
   
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Marine
      Cary Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on June 3 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received updates on cobia research and monitoring, effects of cold water temperatures on spotted seatrout and brown shrimp, ASMFC's proposed amendment for Spanish mackerel and spotted seatrout, legislation and budget.
   2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Evans reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on June 15 in Columbia. Michael Hutchins was named Vice Chair. The Advisory Committee received updates on the comprehensive deer management plan, the fisheries Chapter 13 revisions, waterfowl season, black bear management, the 2011 conservation strategy, legislation and budget.
   3. Law Enforcement
      Norman Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on June 16 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received updates on the 100 Day Plan, the class of new officers, budget, legislation and the 100 deadly days of summer campaign with SC Department of Public Safety.
8. Item for Board Information
   1. Broad River Mitigation Trust Fund Proposal
      Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, reviewed the request for funds from the Broad River Mitigation Trust Fund for the proposal: Developing Sediment Management Guidelines to Enhance Habitat and Aquatic Resources in the Broad River Basin, SC. Mr. Perry noted that the Trustees of the Broad River Mitigation Trust Fund have reviewed the proposal and agree with the funding request. Mr. Perry suggested that this item be included on the July agenda for action.
   2. Draft Climate Change Impacts to Natural Resources in South Carolina
      Mr. Perry distributed the draft report to the Board and suggested that this item be included on the July agenda for action. Mr. Perry noted that Hope Mizzell will be present at the July meeting should the Board have questions.
   3. Board Policies
      Terri McGee, Director of Human Resources, briefly reviewed the draft Board policies as included in the meeting package. Ms. McGee suggested that the policies be included on the July meeting agenda for action.
   4. Progress on the 100 Day Plan
      Chairman Rhodes began discussion with the Board and staff on the 30 day progress of the agency's 100 Day Plan as included in the meeting package.
      
9. Item for Board Action
   1. Proposed projects for funding with FY 2012 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries License Funds
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, briefly reviewed the proposed projects as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the proposed projects for funding with FY 2012 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries License Funds as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. Heritage Trust FY 2012 Budget
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, briefly reviewed the FY 2012 Heritage Trust Budget as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the FY 2012 Heritage Trust Budget as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   3. Proposed WMA Regulations
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the proposed WMA regulations for 2012 as included in the meeting package. Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board approve the proposed WMA regulations as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   4. 2011-12 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget
      Mr. Carmichael reviewed the proposed 2011-12 State Waterfowl Stamp budget as included in the meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the 2011-12 State Waterfowl Stamp budget as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   5. Reedy River Mitigation Trust Fund Request from Laurens County
      Emily Cope, Assistant Director for Special Projects and National Affairs, reviewed the request from Laurens County to utilize up to $445,000 from the Reedy River Mitigation Trust Fund to establish a boat ramp on Boyd's Mill Pond, as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the Reedy River Mitigation Trust Fund Request from Laurens County as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   6. Use of Interest from Wildlife Endowment Fund
      Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reviewed the request to use the interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund, not to exceed $328,000, for the appropriate license revenue expenditures. Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board approve the use of interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   7. 2011-12 Mourning Dove Season
      Mr. Carmichael reviewed the proposed 2011-12 Mourning Dove Season as included in the meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the 2011-12 Mourning Dove Season, with the correction of the daily bag limit to 15 instead of 12. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
10. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief budget update.
11. Environmental Programs
    Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, reported that comments on the Haile Gold Mine permit were submitted to the Corps of Engineers and DHEC on March 30. Since then, Haile Gold Mine has submitted an 800 page response for review. Mr. Perry noted that comments are due to the Corps by June 30.
12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       No further report.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Ms. Collins reported that, to date, there has been a 22% return on the direct mail license this year. Ms. Collins also reported on the pilot project of opening the Boat Titling Registration/ Licensing area in Columbia for half days on Saturday during the month of June. There were 13 customers the first Saturday, 14 customers the second Saturday and 17 customers the third Saturday. Ms. Collins informed the Board that unless they had any objection this pilot project would be discontinued after June 25.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief update on the June 17 Drought Committee meeting and the State Water Plan Stakeholder meeting.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       No further report.
    5. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, distributed a summary of Memorial Day activities. Col. Taylor reported on the 100 Deadly Days of Summer campaign in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Public Safety. Col. Taylor informed the Board that the new officers will graduate Friday and will begin wildlife basic on Monday.
13. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Open Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
15. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The July Board meeting will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Edisto Interpretive Center.
    
    The August Board meeting will be held Thursday, August 18, 2011, in Columbia.
    
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.