The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2008, in Room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, 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, John Evans, Norman Pulliam, and Caroline Rhodes. Board members Stephen Davis and Frank Murray’s absences were excused. Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow introduced Joey Holleman, The State; Pat Robertson; Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation; Carrol Lorick; Malcolm Leaphart, Trout Unlimited; Justin Evans, Governor’s Office; Clay Madre, Kirk Carter, and Sammy DuBose, Greenville Saltwater Sportfishing Club; Caitlin McCullough, daughter of Lt. Robert McCullough; Mary, Gray and Mack Segars, family of Al Segars; Jae Espey, Clemson University; Jim Orms, Johnson Controls; and Caroline Pinckney, SC Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Winslow informed the Board that Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation, had requested to make comments. Mr. Chamblee’s comments were in reference to SCE&G's proposed barrier in the Saluda River below the Lake Murray dam.
   
   Mr. Winslow informed the Board that Carroll Lorick had requested to make comments. Mr. Lorick commented on the proposed barrier.
   
   Mr. Winslow informed the Board that Malcolm Leaphart, Trout Unlimited, had requested to make comments. Mr. Leaphart also commented on the proposed barrier.
   
   After hearing these comments, the Board directed Director Frampton to discuss this with SCE&G and report to the Board at the September meeting.
6. Item for Board Information
   Drought Update
   Dr. Hope Mizzell reported that the State Drought Committee met August 5, 2008. Dr. Mizzell reported that nine additional upstate counties were upgraded to Extreme Drought. Dr. Mizzell reviewed streamflows, lake levels, and groundwater monitoring wells around the state. The Board and Mr. Frampton congratulated Ms. Mizzell on her recently earned Ph.D.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Clay Mardre, President, Greenville Saltwater Sportfishing Club, presented two $1,000 scholarships to dependents of DNR personnel. The recipients for 2008 are Caitlin McCullough, daughter of Lt. Robert McCullough; and Grayson Segars, son of Al Segars, Marine Resources Division.
   
   Chairman McShane presented Bud Badr with the Board's "Making a Difference, Naturally" award for his leadership in inter- and intrastate water issues.
   
8. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes of the July 16, 2008, meeting. There being no amendments, deletions, or corrections, Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 16, 2008, meeting as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
9. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Board
      Bryan Kyzer reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Board met August 5, 2008, in Columbia. Mr. Kyzer stated that due to the lack of quorum, the nomination of a vice chairman has been delayed until the November meeting. The Advisory Board received a report on the 2009 and 2010 prints. The Advisory Board received a recap of the 2007 print sales and the current 2008 sales.
   2. Waterfowl
      Breck Carmichael reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on August 5, 2008. The Advisory Committee received updates on resident Canada goose depredation permits, the wood duck box program, and the waterfowl harvest estimates.
   3. Heritage Trust
      Barry Beasley reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met on August 8, 2008. The Advisory Board received an overview of the Belfast House and updates on the Conservation Bank, the Cowassee Focus Area, the 2007 annual report, active projects, FY 2009 Revenue projections, and Botany Bay. The Advisory Board unanimously approved that Botany Bay be dedicated as a heritage preserve and forwards this recommendation to the DNR Board. The Advisory Board also recommended approval on property acquisitions.
   4. Governor's Cup
      Robert Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Advisory Board met on August 7, 2008. The Advisory Board welcomed new members Dixon Pearce and John Cagle. The Advisory Board received a report from the Tournament Committee and will take action on their recommendations at the next meeting. The Advisory Board received a report on the fundraising efforts for this year’s tournaments. Draft copies of the 2006 and 2007 annual reports were distributed for review.
      
10. Items for Board Information
    1. Deer/Dog Stakeholders Group
       Jae Espey gave the Board a brief update of the August 14, 2008, Deer/Dog Stakeholders Group. Members of the group are recommended by legislators, DNR, and other conservation groups. Mr. Espey said that the group has reached 100% consensus on several issues, but a few remain to be resolved. Mr. Espey stated that the next meeting of the Deer/Dog Stakeholders Group will be September 10, 2008.
    2. Yellowfin Tuna Overview
       Wally Jenkins reviewed the Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna Status Report with the Board. The presentation consisted of the life history, management, history of landings, harvest weight and catch, and distribution of Yellowfin Tuna landings. The summary includes potential overfishing concerns and potential habitat shift.
11. Items for Board Action
    1. Strachan Donnelley, Ph.D. Resolution
       The Board was provided with a draft Resolution for review. After review, Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board accept the Strachan Donnelley, Ph.D. Resolution as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. 2008-2009 Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season
       Breck Carmichael reviewed the staff recommendation for the 2008-2009 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting. After discussion, Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board adopt the staff recommendation with the addition of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee’s recommendation regarding scaup. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Late Migratory Bird Seasons for SC
(Adopted by the SCDNR Board on August 14, 2008.)

There is no open season on canvasbacks or harlequin ducks.

**Sea ducks taken outside of the regular duck season may be hunted only in Atlantic Ocean waters separated from any shore, island or emergent vegetation by at least one mile of open water.

***Excludes all of Clarendon County, that portion of Orangeburg County North of SC Highway # 6 and that portion of Berkeley County North of SC Highway # 45 from the Orangeburg County Line to the junction of SC Highway # 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion West of the Santee Dam.

*YOUTH-ONLY Waterfowl Hunting Days: Daily and possession bag limits are the same as shown above except that youth are allowed 1 scaup on December 6 and 2 scaup on January 31 and February 1.

Dec. 6, 2008 - State Youth Day
Only hunters 17 years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl (ducks and geese) on this day. The youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult of at least 21 years of age. The adult is not allowed to carry a gun or hunt, but must be properly licensed, including state and federal duck stamps. Youth who are 16 and 17 years of age who hunt on this day are not required to be licensed or have a state waterfowl stamp but must possess a Federal Waterfowl Stamp.

Jan 31, 2009 & Feb 1, 2009 - Federal Youth Days
Only hunters 15 years of age or younger may hunt waterfowl (ducks and geese) on these days. The youth(s) must be accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age. The adult is not allowed to carry a gun or hunt, and does not have to be licensed.

3. Proposed Emergency Alligator Regulations
   Breck Carmichael reviewed the Proposed Emergency Alligator Regulations as included in the Board package. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board accept the Proposed Emergency Alligator Regulations as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Emergency Dove Regulations
   Mr. Carmichael reviewed the Emergency Dove Regulations as included in the Board package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board accept the Emergency Dove Regulations as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Croft Hunt Emergency Regulations
   Mr. Carmichael reviewed the Croft Hunt Emergency Regulations as included in the Board package. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board accept the Croft Hunt Emergency Regulations as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Emergency WMA Regulations
   Mr. Carmichael reviewed the Emergency WMA Regulations as included in the Board package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the Emergency WMA Regulations as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
1. Director’s Briefing
   Mr. Frampton gave the Board an update on the budget, noting that he represented DNR at the Governor's Office Budget meeting on August 8.
   
   Mr. Frampton reminded the Board of the 1st Annual Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo on August 22-24, 2008, at the Spartanburg Expo Center.
   
   Mr. Frampton also reminded the Board of the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Awards Ceremony on September 14, 2008, at the Governor's Mansion.
2. Deputy Directors Reports
   1. Law Enforcement
      Col. Alvin Taylor reported on the activities included in the fiscal year end report.
   2. Outreach and Support Services
      Carole Collins informed the Board that SC Wildlife magazine received 3rd place in four-color magazine from the Association of Conservation Information. Ms. Collins distributed a copy of the draft budget that was sent to the Governor's office.
      
   3. Marine Resources
      Robert Boyles reported on channel net and shellfish season openings.
   4. Land, Water and Conservation
      Steve de Kozlowski reported that LWC and LE staff organized and taught a three-day workshop on FEMA required Incident Command System training. Mr. de Kozlowski reported that Hydrology Section staff are working with Freshwater Fisheries Section staff to update the agency’s minimum instream flow report.
   5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Carmichael gave the Board an update on the Forrest Wood Cup Bass Tournament at Lake Murray this weekend.
3. Executive Session
   At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal, and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Return to Regular Session
   Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mrs. Rhodes made a motion to place the 4,360 acre Botany Bay Plantation WMA in the Heritage Trust Preserve Program. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Pulliam made a motion to give final approval on the purchase of 2,228 acres for the Belfast Tract. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
5. Time and Location of the Next Two Meetings
   The September Board meeting will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008, in Columbia.
   
   The October Board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008, at Table Rock State Park.
6. Adjournment
   There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.