SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam 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.

CPT Robert McCullough, Director, Office of Media and Outreach, introduced Scott Whitaker, Coastal Conservation Association; Tim Sorrells, Hunters for the Hungry; Bob Williams, Hunters for the Hungry; Rick Counts, QDMA; Austin Smallwood, Realtors Association; Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited.

CPT McCullough stated there were no requests for constituent comment.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the May 16, 2019 meeting minutes. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the May 16, 2019 meeting as presented. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

Interim Director Boyles commended Angel Brown, Ben Dyar and Brad Floyd of Marine Resources and Scott Harder of Land, Water and Conservation, our SCDNR graduates of the Budget and Control Board’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) program which is a nationally accredited management development program for public managers.

Interim Director Boyles commended 2018 SCDNR and Division Employees of the Year:

DNR Employee of the Year from Land, Water and Conservation: Maria Cox Lamm
Executive Office/Media and Outreach: Joey Frazier
Land, Water and Conservation: Maria Cox Lamm
Law Enforcement: Toni Bass
Marine: Maia Ingle
Division of Administration: Mark Litz
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Jean Graham

Interim Director Boyles commended MAJ Billy Downer and Law Enforcement staff who coordinated the Wateree Rifle and Pistol Range Grand Opening event held on June 21 at the range.

Marine
Phil Maier, Acting Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met June 14 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received overviews of the Marine Fisheries Data Collection and Living Shorelines Research. The Advisory Committee received an update on planned renovations. The Advisory Committee recognized Frank Gibson for his 21 years of service on the Committee.

Climate Update
Mark Malsick, Land, Water, and Conservation Division, reported on tropical conditions, the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.

Interim Director Boyles gave the Board a brief update on Dewees Island and reported that the residents are making progress working out the issues among themselves and are to report back to the agency in September.

Interim Director Boyles reported that the General Assembly returned to Columbia on June 25 to consider the Governor’s vetoes.

Interim Director Boyles met with Mark Plowden, Governor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff, on June 18 for a briefing on water issues.

Interim Director Boyles toured the Emergency Management Division (EMD) headquarters in West Columbia and met with Kim Stenson, EMD Executive Director, on June 12 in preparation for hurricane season.

Interim Director Boyles reminded the Board of the Governor’s Cup Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament on July 17-20.

Interim Director Boyles informed the Board that staff will be attending the American Sportfishing Association ICAST Trade Show scheduled July 9-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Interim Director Boyles noted that Alvin Taylor’s Retirement Dinner is scheduled Wednesday, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 1225 Bluff Road in Columbia. Interim Director Boyles suggested that the Board may consider meeting earlier that day.

Kevin Ryan, Director of Legislative Services, reported that the General Assembly reconvened to consider 28 Governor vetoes.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, has received a request for comment for Seismic Exploration survey.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board an update on an alligator incident on Kiawah Island.
2. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, informed the Board that the class of officers will be graduating from Wildlife Basic next week. COL Frampton noted that there is currently a posting for a new class of officers. COL Frampton reported that 11 fishing rodeos were held with over 1,000 youth participating. COL Frampton informed the Board of courtesy boat inspections being held July 4.
3. Marine Resources
   Mr. Maier reported on the sea turtle season.
4. Division of Administration
   Nothing further to report.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.

1. Santee Coastal Reserve – Lease to South Santee Community Center
   Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the lease agreement, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve a lease agreement between SCDNR and the St. James South Santee Senior and Community Center for a 4-acre parcel in Charleston County. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Update of Policy 101.01 (Law Enforcement, Marine and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Committees) and appointments of Board Members to Advisory Committee
   Shannon Bobertz, Chief Counsel, briefly reviewed the proposed update of Policy 101.01 (Law Enforcement, Marine and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Committees) as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the update of Agency Policy 101.01 as presented. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Chairman Pulliam made the following appointments:
   Land, Water and Conservation – Dr. Mark Hartley, SCDNR Board Representative
   Marine Resources Advisory Committee – Duane M. Swygert, Chairman
   Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee – Mike Hutchins, Chairman
   SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board – Carlisle Oxner, SCDNR Board Liaison
   Heritage Trust Advisory Board – Jake Rasor, DNR Board Representative
   Migratory Waterfowl Committee – Dr. Mark Hartley, SCDNR Board Representative
   Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee – Keith C. Hinson, SCDNR Board Representative
   Law Enforcement – A. Foster McKissick III - Chairman
   
3. Mitigation Trust Fund – Haile Gold Mine – Management of Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Rainbow Ranch Properties
   Mrs. Cope briefly reviewed the request as included in the meeting packet. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of $350,000 from the Mitigation Trust Fund of South Carolina, Haile Gold Mine Mitigation and Management Endowment for management and archeological surveys of the Rainbow Ranch, Cooks Mountain and Goodwill Plantation Tracts.
4. Approval of 2019-2020 Migratory Waterfowl Permit Budget
   Mrs. Cope briefly reviewed the request as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board approve the 2019-2020 Migratory Waterfowl Permit Budget request for $406,700, as presented. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada
   Mrs. Cope briefly reviewed the proposed contribution for $18,633, as included in the meeting packet. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board approve the $18,633 requested contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada as required by S.C. Code Section 50-9-920(B). Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss a personnel item, and pursuant to 30-4-70(A)(2) to discuss contractual matters related to potential acquisitions of real property related to item F. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

6. Property Acquisition in Lancaster County
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board grant final approval to acquire approximately 593 acres adjoining SCDNR’s Liberty Hill WMA in Lancaster County. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, July 18, 2019 in Columbia.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.