The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 2:00 p.m., July 25, 2012, at the Environmental Learning Center, Edisto Island State Park, Edisto Island, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman John Evans called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Eddie Driggers, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Representative Mike Pitts and Dallas Lovelace, private citizen.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Chairman Evans asked Representative Pitts to address the Board. Representative Pitts thanked the Board for the work in the protection of the state’s natural resources. Representative Pitts informed the Board that South Carolina will be hosting the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) Annual Sportsman – Legislator Summit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in late November.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the June 27, 2012, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the June 27, 2012, meeting as submitted. Michael Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended Sgt. Steve Pop on his selection and recognition at the SC Law Enforcement Officers Association (SCLEOA) Foundation Awards Banquet on June 28 at which time he was honored as a District 15 finalist and nominee for the 2012 SCLEOA Officer of the Year.
   
   Director Taylor commended officers in Region 3 for the efforts in a Clarendon County Amber Alert.
   
   Director Taylor commended staff involved in the Franklin L. Gravely Stone Unveiling ceremony on the morning of July 9 at Jocassee Gorges honoring his years of service as a conservation officer between 1953 and 1988 in the Jocassee Gorges area.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Waterfowl
      Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met July 10, 2012 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee approved the staff recommendation for the 2012-2013 early migratory bird hunting seasons. The Advisory Committee had discussion on the wanton waste issue. The Advisory Committee received updates on the Samworth courtesy dock and legislation.
   2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met July 11 at Jocassee Gorges. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Saluda River trout issue and passed a motion to protect the species in the lower Saluda River. The Advisory Committee approved the staff recommendation for the early migratory waterfowl seasons. The Advisory Committee received updates on legislation and the progress of the mobile web application.
      

   Mr. Pulliam informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee will be having an orientation session in Columbia on July 31, 2012.
   
   Chairman Evans reported that he attended the SC Conservation Bank Board meeting on July 24, 2012. The Board approved $2 million for previous approved properties and $4.4 million for 17 current applications totaling 10,176 acres. Chairman Evans noted that 152,120 acres have been preserved since the SC Conservation Bank was formed.

9. Items for Board Action

1. Proposed 2012-2013 Early Migratory Bird Season Recommendations
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the 2012-13 early migratory bird season recommendations as included in the Board meeting package. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the 2012-13 early migratory bird season recommendations as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Proposed WMA Regulations
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the proposed WMA regulations as included in the Board meeting package. Mrs. Cope did note that if the Board chose to approve the proposed regulations they would need to include that they would be used as emergency regulations. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the proposed WMA regulations as presented and allow for them to be used as emergency regulations. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Authorization of Reedy River Trust Funds for the Cliff Pitts WMA
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the request for authorization of Reedy River Trust Funds for the Cliff Pitts WMA as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the authorization of Reedy River Trust Funds for the Cliff Pitts WMA as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
1. Director's Briefings
   Director Taylor gave the Board an update on the budget and highlighted several items that were passed.
   
   Director Taylor attended the SC Association of Conservation Districts Annual Leadership Workshop.
   
   Director Taylor spoke at Representative Liston Barfield’s community Meet and Greet meeting of wildlife enthusiasts in Conway.
2. Legislative Report
   Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, distributed and reviewed the SC DNR 2012 legislative review.
3. Environmental Report
   Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: the draft Savannah River Drought Contingency Plan; the milestone schedule for the Haile Gold Mine project; the approval of the General Permit for authorized work for the Managed Tidal Impoundments; the Charleston Harbor "Post-45" Deepening Project; the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and the South Coast Environmental Group.
   
4. Deputy Directors' Reports
   1. Law Enforcement
      Col. Chisolm Frampton informed the Board that officers will be working the Beaufort Water Festival and the Riverfest Regatta.
   2. Marine Resources
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, gave the Board a brief report on a fire in the Marine Resources Research Institute. It appears that the damage is not extensive but repairs will need to be made.
   3. Outreach and Support Services
      Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, thanked the board for their help with IT funding in the budget.
   4. Land, Water and Conservation
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board an update Heritage Trust revenue.
   5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mrs. Cope reported that staff have scheduled two public comment sessions regarding trout in the lower Saluda River. Mrs. Cope showed the Board the newly designed Endangered Species tag.
5. Executive Session
   Mrs. Rhodes made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Open Session
   Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Chairman Evans noted that he will be serving on the Conservation Bank Board.
   
7. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
   The Board meeting will have an informational workshop on Thursday, August 23, 2012, location TBD.
   
   The September Board meeting will be held Friday, September 21, 2012, in Columbia.
8. Adjournment
   There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.