The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 12, 2010, in the DNR Region Two Office, Florence, SC. 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, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Michael Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Sterling Sadler, President, SC Association of Conservation Districts; Jimmie Lynch, Chairman, Florence Conservation District; Terry LeCroy, Law Enforcement Advisory Committee member; David Wielicki, SC Waterfowl Association; Jay Herrington, US Fish and Wildlife Service; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the June 23 and July 7, 2010, meeting minutes. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the June 23 and July 7, 2010, meetings as submitted. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Kevin Kibler and staff for their efforts to complete the new Florence Regional Office Project.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Emily Cope for her efforts in planning and coordinating the dedication ceremony for the Florence Regional Office.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on July 13, 2010. The Advisory Committee received the results of the Deer Hunter Survey and was briefed on the upcoming referendum for the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish, Chapter 13 rewrite process, striped bass stocking for 2010, new legislation related to feral hogs, early migratory bird season, budget and legislation that passed this year.
   2. Migratory Waterfowl
      Chairman McShane reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on August 3, 2010. The Advisory Committee discussed combining the Migratory Game Bird Permit (HIP) and the Migratory Waterfowl Permit into one permit and charging residents $11.00 and nonresidents $21.00. Both the Migratory Waterfowl and Waterfowl Advisory Committees have discussed and approved this idea. Staff will bring legislation to accomplish this to the Board to consider including in the 2011 legislative package
8. Items for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state. Dr. Mizzell also informed the Board that as of July 9, 2010, the entire state is in incipient drought status.
   2. Deer Hunter Survey
      Mr. Carmichael briefly reviewed the findings of the survey conducted by Responsive Management regarding SC deer hunters’ attitudes regarding harvest limits and tagging of deer. Mr. Carmichael asked that if the Board to provide him with any comments. The Board directed staff to develop options of a draft comprehensive deer management legislative proposal for review at the September board meeting. This proposal should contain recommendations concerning fees for out of state hunters.
9. Items for Board Action
   1. 2010-11 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting Recommendations Mr. Carmichael reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 11, 2010. The Advisory Committee received staff recommendations for the 2010-11 Late Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons, which are included in the Board meeting package. The Advisory Committee recommends the following changes to staff recommendations: 1) open dates November 20--November 27 and December 11–January 30, and 2) daily bag limit be 6 total, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hen), 2 pintails, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 1 black-bellied whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, 2 scaup and (1 black duck or 1 mottled duck). Mr. Pulliam made a motion to approve the Waterfowl Advisory Committee’s recommendations for the 2010-11 Late Migratory Bird Seasons. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      2010-2011 Late Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
      
      Mr. Carmichael reported that the Advisory Committee discussed combining the Migratory Game Bird Permit (HIP) and the Migratory Waterfowl Permit into one permit
      
   2. Emergency Regulations for Opening Public Dove Fields
      Mr. Carmichael reviewed the proposed Emergency Regulations for Opening Public Dove Fields. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the Emergency Regulations for Opening Public Dove Fields as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   3. Lake Edwin Johnson Closure and Renovation
      Mr. Carmichael reviewed the proposal for the closure and renovation of Lake Edwin Johnson, as included in the Board package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the proposal for the closure and renovation of Lake Edwin Johnson as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
10. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton distributed and reviewed a letter that concerned the issuance of a ticket instead of a warning for boating violations and the response to this letter. Mr. Frampton noted that Law Enforcement Officers’ rate of warnings to tickets are 2:1 and commended officers on this effort.
    
    Mr. Frampton discussed three outcomes from the Deputy Directors’ Workshop with the Board: 1)Climate Change Adaptability Committee, 2) State Wildlife Grant Program Committee for the update due in 2015, and 3) identifying projects and articles for inclusion in the South Carolina Wildlife magazine.
    
    Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the Belfast dedication will be held November 16.
    
    Chairman McShane informed the Board that Mr. Frampton has been appointed to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Council.
11. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, distributed and reviewed a letter concerning the William States Lee III Nuclear Station Supplement to the Environmental Report. Mr. Perry reported that the National Marine Fisheries Service has an issue with Santee Cooper and FERC related to short-nosed sturgeon. Mr. Perry noted that DNR does not agree with NMFS on this issue. Mr. Perry distributed and reviewed a short summary on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Mr. Perry reported on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Outreach and Support Services
       Nothing further to report.
13. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The September Board meeting will be held Thursday, September 16, 2010, in Columbia.
    
    The October Board meeting will be held Thursday, October 21, 2010, in Columbia.
    
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.