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.

Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, thanked Kyle Brock, SCPRT, for hosting today’s meeting.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the April 19, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the April 19, 2018 meeting as submitted. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor commended Shannon Bobertz, the Deputy Directors and staff who worked so hard on the agency’s response to the House Legislative Oversight Committee’s review. The full House Legislative Oversight Committee met on June 26 with the final report on DNR approved by the committee.

Director Taylor commended agency staff who represented DNR at the American Sportfishing Association’s annual International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) on July 11-13 in Orlando.

Director Tylor commended two officers, Thomas Spann and Rhett Bickley, who were involved in two separate life-saving efforts.

Climate Update
Dr. Hope Mizzell reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.

Director Taylor reported that the Department has completed a successful legislative year.

Director Taylor participated in the SC Law Enforcement Hall of Fame Advisory Committee meeting and presented DNR’s nomination of deceased DNR LT Ulysses Flemming for the SC Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame Meritorious Service award and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame which was approved by the Advisory Committee.

Director Taylor and Deputy Director Boyles met with USFWS Acting Regional Director Mike Oetker and staff for a discussion on hunting and fishing assessments, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and partnership opportunities.

Director Taylor and COL Frampton met with Cindy Castro and Chuck Carfagno of the EPA-Criminal Investigative Division.

Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, agreed with Director Taylor, that the Department has completed a successful legislative session. CPT Sabaka noted that requests are already being made for legislation for next year.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on the Parr-Fairfield Hydroelectric Project and gave the Board an update on Crab Bank.

1. Division of Administration
   Carole Collins, Deputy Director for the Division of Administration, informed the Board that the statewide contractor for license sales will be shutting down the system for a security update. This will affect all sales from 7:00 PM Friday, July 20 until 11:00 PM Sunday, July 22.
2. Land, Water and Conservation
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board a brief report on the Shell Ring Archeology Project at Botany Bay Heritage Preserve.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board a brief update on the Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower. Mrs. Cope reported that Santee Cooper lakes were rated sixth in the Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes. Mrs. Cope noted that other SC lakes were included in the 100.
4. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that they have started the hiring process for new officers.
5. Marine Resources
   Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief history of the SC shrimp trawl fishery noting that 1981 was the high mark with 1,500 trawl licenses compared to 500 today.

Hunting Partnership Resolution
Shannon Bobertz, Chief Counsel, reviewed the Hunting Partnership Resolution, as included in the meeting packet, noting the addition of the word offered in the following sentence. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Department supports a partnership between the Department and SC Wildlife Partnership to make offered private lands available for public hunting. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Hunting Partnership Resolution as amended. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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