SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes (Teleconference Meeting)

Chairman Cary Chastain called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Chip Sharpe, retired SCDNR employee; Tucker Creed, SCDOT; and Tom McCoy, USFWS.

Mr. Carmichael reported that Mr. Creed and Mr. Sharpe have requested to address the Board.

Mr. Tucker's comments were concerning the cooperation and coordination between SC DOT and SC DNR and the work on the I-73 project.

Mr. Sharpe's comments were concerning naming of the J. B. Barker Boat Ramp; the Board and staff's assistance with the passage of the Outdoor Dream Foundation legislation; the work of Officer Will Coleman on a recent turkey baiting case; and the customer service he recently received from Julie Jarrett and Austin Jackson in the licensing office.

Chairman Chastain asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the March 24, 2017 or May 22, 2017 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the March 24, 2017 and May 22, 2017 meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor presented the Meritorious Service Award to Eva Smith.

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

Director Taylor commended CPT Billy Downer and staff who coordinated the Southeast Youth Clay Target Combine, a new tri-state event for school teams from South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi, on Saturday, May 6, at the Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield.

Director Taylor commended LT Brian Corbett, CPT Karen Swink and LT Michael Paul Thomas of Law Enforcement and Valerie Duncan of Division of Administration, DNR graduates of the Budget and Control Board's Certified Public Manager (CPM) program.

Director Taylor commended 2016 DNR and Division Employees of the Year: 2016 DNR Employee of the Year from Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Dean Harrigal; Executive: Dan DuPre of Media & Outreach; Land, Water and Conservation: Jennifer Konarski; Law Enforcement: Leah Wingard; Marine Resources: Brian Hull; and Division of Administration: Monica Smalls

1. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met May 4 in Florence. The Advisory Board received updates on staff activities and the cultural resources office. The Advisory Board approved the acceptance of the Blackout Tract donation and the Budget Amendments. The Advisory Committee also held a conference call meeting on June 14 and approved the acquisition of Gunter's Island.
2. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met May 16. The Advisory Committee received a revenue report. The Advisory Committee approved staff proposals for projects. Mr. Boyles noted that Doug Reardon has stepped down.
3. Marine
   Mr. Boyles reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met June 9 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received presentations on (1) DNR efforts to monitor changes in Coastal Habitats and how the data collected enables evaluation of change over time State-wide and allows for watershed-level assessments in managing of the resources and (2) how changes in Environmental Variables can affect Management of Fisheries and Wildlife. The presentation focused on how different patterns in rainfall, relative sea-level, temperatures, and drought can affect species abundance and distribution. The Advisory Committee received updates on activities of the Marine Resources Division, the legislative session, the budget, and renovation of the Waddell Mariculture Center.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
   Mr. Rentiers reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee held a conference call meeting on May 16. The Advisory Committee approved the Conservation District Commissioner appointments and reappointments.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief report on the tropics, drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor thanked Stephanie Welch for her work on the Employee of the Year luncheon.

Director Taylor introduced Lorianne Riggin. Lorianne will be assuming Bob Perry's role in the environmental office.

Director Taylor informed the Board that DNR hosted the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Spring Directors meeting in April in Charleston.

Director Taylor met with US Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke in New Hampshire.

Director Taylor participated in Governor McMaster's Hurricane Exercise.

Director Taylor and staff have been working with FEMA on the 2015 flood and the 2016 hurricane.

CPT Mike Sabaka reported on the following legislation that passed: bear law changes; night hunting hogs, coyote and armadillo; flounder; Outdoor Dream Foundation; summer harvest of oysters; and the recodification of regulations for DNR. The wake zone bill will continue next year.

Lorianne Riggin, Office of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the I-73 project, the SCDNR General Permit Application, and the SCDNR Managed Tidal Impoundment General Permit.

1. Outreach and Support Services
   Nothing further to report.
2. Land, Water and Conservation
   Mr. Rentiers gave a brief update on water planning status.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Nothing further to report.
4. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board updates on the new class of officers' graduation, the canine team graduation and participation in youth fishing rodeos.
5. Marine Resources
   Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief report on the 2016 shrimp season and an update on the 2017 shrimp season.

1. Gunter's Island Project
   Mrs. Riggin reviewed the Gunter's Island Project information, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hinson made a motion that the DNR Board approve the acquisition, by donation from the Department of Transportation, of Gunter's Island, a 6,258-acre property in Horry County, and dedicate it under the Heritage Trust Program and into the corpus of the Heritage Trust. The acceptance is to be conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Governor's Cup 2016 Annual Report
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Governor's Cup 2016 Annual Report as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Revision to Policy 301.01 (Use of Force)
   Terri McGee reviewed the revision to Policy 301.01 (Use of Force), as included in the meeting packet. Mr. McFadden made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Revision to Policy 301.01 (Use of Force) as presented. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Revision to Policy 701.02 (Overtime)
   Ms. McGee reviewed the revision to Policy 701.02 (overtime), that was sent separately from the meeting packet. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Revision to Policy 701.02 (Overtime) as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Policy 204.02 (Drone Acquisition and Usage by Department Personnel)
   Ms. McGee reviewed Policy 204.02 (Drone Acquisition and Usage by Department Personnel), as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve Policy 204.02 (Drone Acquisition and Usage by Department Personnel) as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada
   Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Division of Administration, reviewed the proposed contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. McFadden made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve – Acceptance of Donation of Blackout Tract
   Jamie Dozier, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reviewed the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve – Acceptance of Donation of Blackout Tract, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hinson made a motion that the SCDNR Board accept a property donation of approximately 269 acres within the DNR's Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve in Georgetown County to be dedicated as a heritage preserve and placed into the corpus of the South Carolina Heritage Trust as part of the Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
8. Heritage Trust Budget Amendments
   Mr. Rentiers reviewed the Heritage Trust Budget Amendments, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Heritage Trust Budget Amendments as presented. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Approval of 2017-18 Migratory Waterfowl Permit Budget
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the proposed 2017-18 Migratory Waterfowl Permit Budget, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the 2017-18 Migratory Waterfowl Permit Budget as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund
    Mr. Meggie reviewed the revised Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund that is at their place. Mr. McFadden made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund as presented. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Mitigation Trust Fund – Reallocation of $50,000 for Beaufort County Land Conservation Project
    Mr. Carmichael reviewed the Mitigation Trust Fund – Reallocation of $50,000 for Beaufort County Land Conservation Project, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the Mitigation Trust Fund – Reallocation of $50,000 for Beaufort County Land Conservation Project as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board go into go into Executive Session pursuant to S.C. Code Section 30-4-70 (A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss appointments to advisory boards related to items (L), (M), and (O), negotiations pursuant to proposed purchase of property related to item (N), and negotiations for a proposed lease related to item (P). Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.