Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Lloyd Webb Natural Resources Office

153 Hopewell Road, Pendleton, SC

Friday, July 16, 2004

9:30 a.m.

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, July 16, 2004, at the Lloyd Webb Natural Resources Office, Pendleton, 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, John Evans, Karen Floyd, Frank Murray and Smith Ragsdale.  Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

I. Call to Order

Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

II. Invocation

Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.

III. Pledge of Allegiance

Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Introduction of Guests

Cary Chamblee asked Dan Dobbins to introduce three interns from the Governor’s Office.  Mr. Dobbins introduced Sophie Lane, Andy Clayton and Rob Lowery.  Mr. Chamblee introduced Dr. Pat Layton, Chair of the Forestry and Natural Resources Department at Clemson University; Dennis Chastain and his wife Jane.  Mr. Chamblee asked Tom Swayngham to introduce the staff at the Clemson Office.  Mr. Swayngham introduced Betty Snipes, Lynn McDowell, Richard Morton, Mary Bunch, Dan Rankin, Leslie Morgan, Greg Lucas and Skip Still.  Mr. Chamblee asked Capt. Larry Holbrooks to introduce the officers present today.  Capt. Holbrooks introduced Buddy English, Larry Snipes and Ira Jones.

V. Constituent Comment

Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that Dennis Chastain requested to speak to the Board.  Mr. Chastain gave the Board an update on the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in South Carolina. 

Mr. Still gave the Board a brief history of the Lloyd Webb office and some of the current projects.

VI. Approval of Minutes

Chairman McShane offered the following correction to the minutes of the June 18, 2004 minutes and asked if there were any other corrections or additions to the minutes of the June 18, 2004, meeting. 

 X. Items for Board Action

A.   Morgan Island Management Plan

Mr. Frampton stated that there is a contractual matter with the lease that needs to be discussed in executive session presented the management plan for Morgan Island.

Mrs. Floyd made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2004 meeting as amended.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

VII.      Presentations/Commendations

Chairman McShane wanted the minutes to reflect that the Board appreciates the dedication and work to the individuals who have retired as of July 16, 2004.  Those individuals are Martha B. Aldridge, Anthony Bates, James W. Duke, Diane L. Lee, Georgianna Prince, Butler R. Hook, James R. Clark, Robert Crosby, Carol Dupre, Curtis Jackson, James Langley, Walcott Moultrie, Jerry S. Walters, Darry Williams, James A. Wright, Joe A. Dennis, Charles G. Samuel, Faye Weimer, Leon Bush, Donna Gelwicks, Ernest Alston, David Baumann, Thomas Beach, William Catoe, John Cely, Gail Coker, James Chattine, Bill Mahan, Tommy Strange, and Ervin Woodberry.

Chairman McShane and Director Frampton presented Hank Stallworth with the Board’s Meritorious Service Award for his work with the Water Law Review Committee.

Mr. Frampton congratulated Jean Cowell on her receipt of the South Carolina Chapter of the International Personnel Management Association’s (SCIPMA) 2004 Award of Excellence for Human Resources Practitioner of the Year.

VIII. Advisory Committee Reports

A.  Law Enforcement

Mr. Campbell stated that due to scheduling conflicts the Law Enforcement  Advisory Committee meeting has been postponed until September.  Mr. Campbell stated that Dr. Juke Leary, former Chairman of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, was recognized by the Laurens and Greenwood Counties Delegation on July 15, 2004.  The Law Enforcement staging area on Lake Greenwood was named the Dr. Juke Leary Staging Area.  Mr. Campbell noted that anyone who has served with Dr. Leary knows that he served the Department with distinction and Law Enforcement held a special place in his heart.

Mr. Campbell also stated that as of today Col. Alvin Wright is retired and the Board wishes him well.

Chairman McShane asked Alvin Taylor to come forward.  Chairman McShane asked Mr. Campbell and Mr. Frampton to present the pin signifying the rank of Colonel to Col. Taylor.

B. Waterfowl

Mr. Ragsdale stated that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee received a progress report from David Weilicki on improving Santee Lakes for waterfowl habitat and fishing.  Mr. Ragsdale reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee endorsed retaining the same waterfowl hunting regulations as last year for the upcoming year assuming that the Federal framework is the same.  One recommended change is to put the pintail season at the end of the season.    Mr. Ragsdale informed the Board that materials will be delivered to Department of Corrections for the wood duck boxes.

IX. Items for Board Action

 A.   Early Migratory Bird Season

Breck Carmichael reviewed the Early Migratory Bird Season as sent in the Board package. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board accept the Early Migratory Bird Season as presented.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

B.   Migratory Bird Stamp Revenue

Chairman McShane stated that this item contains a contractual issue and will be discussed in executive session.

X.  Director’s Briefing

Mr. Frampton reviewed the current budget situation.

Mr. Frampton participated in the Deputy Directors Workshop on the evening of June 29 and all day June 30 at Donnelley; discussion included preparations for the upcoming legislative session.

Mr. Frampton met with six law Enforcement Captains on July 1 to gather input from them on the law Enforcement Deputy Director search and answer questions and discuss issues of interest to the Captains.

Mr. Frampton and Chairman McShane attended the National Wild Turkey Federation building dedication ceremony in Edgefield on July 10.

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that he plans to participate in the Atlantic Flyway Council and Atlantic Coast Joint Venture meeting in Dover, DE, on June 20-23.

Mr. Frampton will be in Washington on July 19-20 to meet with Congressional staff.

Mr. Frampton and Chairman McShane will meet with the Yawkey Foundation Trustees in Boston on July 26.

Chairman McShane reported that he and Mr. Frampton attended the last Cabinet meeting and at that meeting a commitment was made that the agency will be invited to work with the Governor on his Executive Budget before it is drafted.

Legislative Report

Derrick Meggie reported that the Governor held a signing ceremony for 4756 the Mitigation Trust Fund Bill.

XI. Deputy Directors’ Reports

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Mr. Carmichael briefly summarized the key points contained in the recently approved Lake Murray Shoreline management Plan.

2. Law Enforcement

Col. Taylor reviewed the monthly case activities.  Col. Taylor gave an update on BUI training and enforcement and courtesy boat inspections.  Col. Taylor participated in the Coast Guard’s Change of Command Ceremony.  Col. Taylor informed the Board that Officer Adrian Priester and Lt. Col. Van McCarty have been deployed.

3. Outreach and Support Services

Carole Collins reported that the direct mail license renewal has slowed down but it is expected to pick up again before hunting season.  Ms. Collins stated that staff have been diligently working on the activity based budget project from the Governor’s Office.

Mr. Campbell commended the Titling and Registration staff for their work accommodating the rush on Friday, July 2.

4.  Marine

 Robert Boyles reported on the Cooperative Research program and stated that this will begin in the fall once the grant is awarded.  Mr. Boyles announced that the SC Oyster Restoration and Enhancement project was recently awarded a Coastal America Partnership Award.  Mr. Boyles reminded the Board of the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series/Harry Hampton Marine Conservation banquet on August 14.

5.Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang gave the Board a brief climate update.

XII. 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.

XIII.   Return to Regular Session

The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve the proposed budget for Waterfowl Stamp Funds for 2004-05 with appropriate oversight from the director.  Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

XIV.  Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The next meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, August 20, 2004, at the Waddell Center, in Bluffton.

The September Board Meeting will be held on Friday, September 17, 2004, in Columbia.

XV.  Adjournment

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.