The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, July 16, 2015, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Cary Chastain'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 Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Larry Yonce led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Tommie Sharpe; Kenny Lucas, Upland Wildlife Coalition; Buford Mabry, retired DNR employee; Bob Seibels; Gren Seibels; Stoney Denny; Ray Griffith; and Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael reported that Kenny Lucas has requested to address the Board. Mr. Lucas' comments were related to the decline in dove population and concern with the seasons and limits.
   
   Mr. Carmichael reported that Bob Seibels also requested to address the Board. Mr. Seibels' comments were also related to the decline in dove population.
   
   Board member Mike Hutchins informed the group that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee will be meeting August 18 and he will take the recommendations and concerns to them for consideration on setting next year's season.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the June 18, 2015, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the June 18, 2015, meeting as submitted. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended the 2014 DNR and Division Employees of the Year: 2014 DNR Employee of the Year from Law Enforcement: Jeff Boyer; Land, Water and Conservation: Will Doar; Marine Resources: Paulette Mikell; and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Lisa Walters.
   
8. Advisory Committee Report(s)
   Law Enforcement
   Mr. Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met July 1 at Patriot's Plantation. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on Sea Hawk. The Advisory Committee received an update on boating fatalities and the dive team; budget items and legislation.
9. Items for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with presentation on the drought status and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
10. Items for Board Action
    
    
    1. Proposed 2015-16 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
       Billy Dukes, Chief of Wildlife Regional Operations, briefly reviewed the proposed 2015-16 Early Migratory Bird Hunting Season as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the 2015-16 Early Migratory Bird Hunting Season as presented. Randy Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Larry Yonce made a motion that the Board request the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff study the dove population and receive public comment for the 2016-17 dove season recommendation. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Dukes then asked the Board if they would consider conducting a meeting via conference call sometime in August to take action on the 2015-16 Late Migratory Bird Hunting Season.
    2. Approval of Lake Hartwell Fish Habitat Enhancement Budget
       Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the Lake Hartwell Fish Habitat Enhancement Fund, as included in the Board meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the use of up to $215,000 from the Lake Hartwell Fish Habitat Enhancement Fund as presented. Elizabeth Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Saluda River Fish Kill Report
       Mr. Prosser reviewed the Saluda River Fish Kill report, as sent to the Board electronically. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Saluda River Fish Kill report as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    4. Heritage Trust Bond Repayment
       Derrick Meggie, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, informed the Board that they are the Trustees for the SC Heritage Trust Fund and their authorization is required to authorize the transfer of funds from the Heritage Land Trust to the Heritage Trust Revenue Proceeds Fund to fulfill the obligation for repayment of the Revenue Bonds, Series 2006 issued by the SC Heritage Trust Fund. Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board authorize the transfer of $3,684,150 from the Heritage Land Trust to the Heritage Trust Revenue Proceeds Fund held by the State Treasurer's Office. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    5. Use of Wildlife Endowment Fund
       Mr. Meggie reviewed the request to use the interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund, not to exceed $175,000, for the appropriate license revenue expenditures. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the use of interest from the Wildlife Endowment Fund as presented. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor reported that DNR had no budget vetoes and staff will begin working on next year's budget in August.
    
    Director Taylor met with Gary Spires, SC Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss feral hogs and partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with outgoing Corps of Engineer Charleston District Engineer LTC John Litz and Incoming District Engineer LTC Matthew Luzzatto and presented LTC Litz with the Honorary DNR LTC Certificate in recognition of his partnership with our agency.
    
    Director Taylor met with Georgetown County Administrator, Sel Hemingway, at his office in Georgetown.
12. Legislative Report
    CPT Mike Sabaka reported that there will be six boating safety public meetings held statewide. CPT Sabaka also noted that DNR will be revisiting the 2008 stakeholder meetings on hunting with dogs and there will also be public meetings on deer tagging and limits.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following projects, which were contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: I-73, Volvo, International Drive, Charleston Harbor Post 45; and Clydesdale Mitigation Bank.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported on several activities of the Law Enforcement Division, including: July 4th, security assistance at the Capitol; and the military and civilian plane crash. COL Frampton asked Rev. Skidmore to brief the Board on the peer support process that was organized for those officers working the plane crash.
    2. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, briefed the Board on the efforts for data improvements with the commercial saltwater fisheries license.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
15. Board Member Comments
    The Board held a brief discussion about attire for Board meetings. The consensus was for it to be the individual's discretion whether to wear business or business casual attire.
    
    Mr. Pulliam commended Director Taylor for his work efforts.
    
    Mr. Lowe asked about the coyote meetings. Mr. Dukes reported that all meetings were at full capacity and they will begin having more meetings in the fall.
    
    Mr. Yonce also commended Director Taylor and DNR staff for their efforts.
    
    Chairman McFadden thanked the Board for their dedication to the cause, as volunteers.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The September meeting of the Board will be held Wednesday, September 23 in Columbia.
    
    The October meeting has not been finalized.
    
    The November meeting will be held Thursday, November 19 at the SC Waterfowl Association facility.
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for July 16, 2015 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.