The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, July 15, 2005, at the Marine Resources Division Auditorium, Charleston, South Carolina. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Mike McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis and John Evans. Board Member Karen Floyd was present by telephone. Board members Frank Murray and Smith Ragsdale's absences were excused. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Chaplain Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Cary Chamblee introduced Mike Sottile, Mayor, Isle of Palms; Allen Stalvey, Executive Director, Natural Resources Society; Bill Simpson, Charleston Conservation District and Co-Chairman of the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee; Senator Chip Campsen; Tolman Salisbury, Dorchester Conservation District and Bobby Long, Dorchester Conservation District.
5. Constituent Comments
   Senator Campsen introduced Mike Sottile to the Board. Senator Campsen shared with the Board the request from the Isle of Palms City Council to establish a no wake zone in the area behind the Isle of Palms in the intercoastal waterway near the intersection of Morgan Creek and Hamlin Creek. Senator Campsen stated that he felt the Board should consider having two categories of no wake zones, one being a no wake zone to deal with congestion on weekends and legal holidays during the boating season and the second being permanent, such as areas around a marina. Mayor Sottile reiterated to the Board that the request from the Isle of Palms is for safety. Mr. Frampton stated that if the Senator agrees, the Department will help draft legislation establishing the two categories for no wake zones to be filed as early as possible.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the June 17, 2005 meeting. There being none, Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 17, 2005 meeting as presented. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended the staff of the License, Titling and Registration Offices for their hard work over the past month as a large number of people have registered their boats in preparation for the July 4th holiday and purchased their new license for July 1. Chairman McShane noted that the Board will be presenting the Charleston Licensing, Title and Registration office with the Making A Difference, Naturally award after today’s meeting.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Law Enforcement staff for their efforts during the July 4th holiday weekend.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Robert Boyles, Col. Taylor and their staff for the event held last night.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Law Enforcement
      Mr. Campbell reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on July 13, in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Law Enforcement Hurricane Plan, Team DNR, and the activities of Region 3.
   2. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met on July 14, in Charleston. The Advisory Board reviewed the 2005 series. There were 132 billfish landed, tagged, released this year. This number is double of last year's results. The Tournament Committee reported that they will begin the no kill tournament next year. The Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Awards Banquet will be held September 18 at the Governor's Mansion Complex in Columbia.
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Overview of Boating Safety Initiative
      Sgt. Robin Camlin provided the Board with a brief overview of the Boating Safety Program. Sgt. Camlin provided statistics of boating accidents and fatalities and noted that the majority of fatalities are due to drowning. Sgt. Camlin then reviewed with the Board the challenge that the Law Enforcement Education staff were given a challenge to develop an idea to promote the use of life jackets and safe boating habits for the 2005 boating season. Sgt. Camlin then introduced ZIPPIT.
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Mountain Lakes Regulation Change
       Mac Watson reviewed the proposed regulation change for Mountain Lakes, Chester County. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the change as proposed.
       
       “The lakes will be open to public fishing on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, from one-half hour before official sunrise to one one-half hour after official sunset. Lake open to public on all other days from one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset. Possession of fishing tackle is prohibited on those days when the lake is closed to fishing.”
       
       Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Early Migratory Bird Season
       Breck Carmichael reviewed the staff recommendation for the 2005-06 Early Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons as sent to the Board in their meeting package. Mr. Carmichael stated that the season will open Saturday, September 3. Mr. Carmichael also noted that South Carolina has been offered the early teal season and has accepted. Mrs. Floyd made a motion that the Board approve the staff recommendation for the 2005-06 Early Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Budget
       Mr. Carmichael reviewed the proposed budget for Waterfowl Stamp Funds as sent to the Board in their meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the proposed budget as submitted. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton participated in the Deputy Directors’ Workshop at Donnelley on June 28-29 to discuss issues affecting DNR and future plans.
    
    Mr. Frampton attended the meeting of the Horry County Legislative Delegation on the evening of July 7 in Myrtle Beach at Representative Liston Barfield’s request.
    
    Mr. Frampton will be participating in the Atlantic Flyway Council meeting in Bar Harbor, Maine, on July 22 – 26.
12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Marine
       Robert Boyles informed the Board that with the Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program, 28 DNR staff, moved over 15 tons of shell from the quarantine area to an experimental reef designed to assist with the erosion problem. This is the second largest reef built by this project. Mr. Boyles distributed a list of staff who participated. Mr. Boyles distributed copies of the Southern Flounder Publication.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Hank Stallworth informed the Board that when Dennis became the fourth named storm it broke the record for named storms this early in the season. Mr. Stallworth reported that the Savannah River Committee held their first meeting on July 12.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael reported that Dan Rankin, Fisheries Regional Coordinator, received the 2005 Palmetto Trout award from the SC Council of Trout Unlimited. Mr. Carmichael also gave the Board a summary of the 2004-05 Wildlife Management Area Program. Mr. Carmichael noted that this program is continuing to lose acreage. Most of the losses are due to the sale or private leasing of timber company lands.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor gave the Board an equipment update for the Law Enforcement Division: Long guns have been distributed; new vests are being assigned; new Glocks have been received, new vehicles have been received and satellite phones have been received and distributed. Col. Taylor distributed copies of the updated Law Enforcement Division Hurricane Plan.
    5. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins reported on the Direct Mail License Promotion. Ms. Collins also updated the Board on the close out of the fiscal year. As of July 14, there was $745 left of the $18.2 million state appropriated funds. Ms. Collins also informed the Board that 500-600 customers were served on Friday, July 1, in Columbia and Charleston.
13. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Return to Regular Session
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
    
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board authorize staff to enter into negotiations with Greenville County to sell to them Lake Oak Grove and adjacent lands. Further, staff is authorized to take steps to surplus the former Greenville office. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board authorize staff to move forward in purchasing a tract of land in Chesterfield County. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the carried unanimously.
    
    The Board of Trustees of the South Carolina Mitigation Trust Fund does hereby authorize the Department, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Mitigation Trust Fund, to enter into contract with an established permitted wildlife rehabilitator for the purpose of implementing the final damage assessment and restoration plan of the MS Star Evviva oil spill. Prepared by the Natural Resources Trustee Council, representing the Office of the Governor, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Board of Trustees further authorizes that upon execution of the contract it will disperse the funds in accordance with the terms. Mr. Davis stated that this shall be submitted as written documentation of a motion. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The August Board meeting will be held on Friday, August 19, 2005, in Columbia.
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.