The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 2:00 p.m., June 27, 2012, at the Clubhouse at Toler’s Cove Marina, Mount Pleasant, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Board member Larry Yonce’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 John Evans called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee; Mike McShane, DNR Board representative to the Savannah Maritime Commission; and Chris DeScheare, Southern Environmental Law Center.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Chairman Evans asked Mr. McShane to address the Board. Mr. McShane spoke briefly about the recent S.C. Supreme Court action regarding the authority and jurisdiction of the Savannah River Maritime Commission and DHEC. Mr. McShane informed the Board that the Savannah River Maritime Commission has filed a temporary injunction against the South Carolina members of the Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project Office, preventing them from taking any action due to the jurisdictional issue. Mr. McShane noted that the Joint Project Office is trying to create a memorandum of understanding with the Savannah River Maritime Commission to allow the Board to operate. Mr. McShane also commented on the proposed Clydesdale Club Mitigation Bank, stating that he is pleased with the Department’s stand on this issue. Mr. McShane suggested that Chairman Evans and the Board work with staff and receive a report on what actions may be available since this project appears to be a conversion from a saltwater impoundment to a freshwater impoundment, not a restoration.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the May 23, 2012, meeting minutes. Caroline Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the May 23, 2012, meeting as submitted. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended staff for their efforts on the recently held fishing rodeos.
   
   Director Taylor commended law enforcement division staff for their work during the Memorial Day weekend, specifically the courtesy boat inspections.
   
   Director Taylor referenced a letter from the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Board commending Denise Frost and staff for their work on the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   Marine
   Mr. Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on June 22, in Charleston. The committee received a presentation on the Recreational Shellfish Management Program and discussed the Marine Resources Division’s and the Department’s regulatory authority.
9. Items for Board Action
   1. Proposed Projects for Funding with FY 2013 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries License Funds
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, briefly reviewed the proposed projects as included in the Board meeting package and noted that these staff recommendations have been approved by the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the proposed projects for funding with FY 2013 Saltwater Recreational Fisheries License Funds as presented. Norman Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. 2012-2013 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget
      Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the proposed 2012-2013 State Waterfowl Stamp Budget, as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the proposed 2012-2013 State Waterfowl Stamp budget as presented. Michael Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor thanked Mr. Boyles for covering his responsibilities while he was out of the office on medical leave.
    
    Director Taylor gave the Board an update on the budget noting that the Conference Committee agreed on a budget the previous evening and the details should be available later that day.
    
    Director Taylor noted that he and Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, were unable to attend last month’s meeting because they were attending the Governor’s mandatory Annual Hurricane Table Top Exercise.
    
    Director Taylor informed the Board that he has had several meetings with Catherine Templeton, DHEC Commissioner, about the Governor’s Savannah River Advisory Committee.
11. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, distributed and reviewed the following items: letters from the Corps of Engineers and DHEC regarding the draft Savannah River Drought Contingency Plan; his letter dated June 21, 2012, to the Corps of Engineers regarding the proposed midstream anchorage facility in Georgetown County; and his letter dated June 21, 2012, to the City of North Myrtle Beach regarding the proposed dredging in Cherry Grove.
    
    Mr. Perry highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: a letter from Director Taylor to the Corps of Engineers regarding the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, the Clydesdale Club Mitigation Bank and the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project.
    
12. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       No further report.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reported on Camp Wildwood and the Outreach and Support Services Division Employee Satisfaction Survey.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board updates on the drought status, water planning and Heritage Trust revenue.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope reported on the 2012-2013 Mourning Dove Season.
    5. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
13. Executive Session
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Open Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board give final approval to accept a donation of 80 acres of land in Georgetown County. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition near Jocassee Gorges in Pickens County. Randy Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board give final approval to accept a property donation near Sassafras Mountain in Pickens County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give final approval to accept a property donation near Lake Russell in Abbeville County and a lease of adjoining land in Abbeville County. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The July Board meeting will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at the Environmental Learning Center at Edisto Island State Park, Edisto Island, SC.
    
    The August Board meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2012, location TBD.
    
    The September Board meeting will be held Friday, September 21, 2012, in Columbia.
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.