SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Dave Tafaoa, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

CPT Robert McCullough, Director, Office of Media and Outreach, introduced former Representative Don Bowen; John O’Rose; Diana O’Rose; and Jamie Rader, Ducks Unlimited.

CPT McCullough stated that former Representative Bowen has requested to make comments. Former Representative Bowen’s comments were directed toward wake issues on Lake Hartwell.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the July 18, 2019 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 18, 2019 meeting as presented. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

1. Interim Director Boyles commended Deputy Director Ken Rentiers, Land, Water and Conservation, for his recent presentation on water issues at the briefing of Governor Henry McMaster and staff.
2. Interim Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement Division staff LCPL Dale Tanner-Region 2, CO Thomas Buckhannon-Region 4 and FSGT Kevin Pardue-Region 2 for their assistance with a jet ski accident involving Vonda Hollingsworth’s son Kyle near Bird Island.
3. Interim Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement LCPL Kevin Collins for his quick response to the boating fatality that occurred during a horrific storm on Lake Marion on July 13. While on patrol during a severe storm LCPL Collins saw a capsized pontoon with the toons visible above the waterline. He noticed several people in the water and started throwing life jackets and helping people onto his boat. He was able to get 6 people in his boat and helped get the deceased man who drowned inside the submerged cabin of the vessel into his boat as well. If it weren’t for his quick response and calm demeanor in a high stress situation, there may have been many fatalities that night.
4. Chairman Pulliam commended Duane Swygert who received an Appreciation Award – SC Hunters for the Hungry Man of the Year 2019 – at the SC Hunters for the Hungry annual banquet on August 10.

1. Migratory Waterfowl
   Dr. Hartley reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 7, in Columbia. Dr. Hartley noted that much of the meeting was spent discussing the state duck stamp sales. A motion was made for a fund raising event for the print program, but the motion was tabled until an opinion is received on whether something like this is allowed. The Advisory Committee also received a staff recommendation to sunset the program after the 40th anniversary. Dr. Hartley made a motion requesting staff to prepare legislation to sunset the Migratory Waterfowl Print Program after the 40th anniversary, which will be 2020. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Heritage Trust
   Mr. Rasor reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met August 8 in Columbia. The Advisory Board received an update on the Cultural Program. The Board approved the Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve License Agreement for Palmetto Conservation Fund, the FY 2021 Heritage Trust Budget; and two property acquisitions.

1. River Basin Modeling
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, introduced Alex Pellett. Mr. Pellett gave the Board a detailed presentation of the Simplified Water Allocation Model used for the assessment of SC surface water availability.
2. Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported on the tropics, the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.

Interim Director Boyles participated in SCDNR’s FY 2018 Agreed Upon Procedures Audit Entrance Conference with State Auditor and staff.

Interim Director Boyles, Shannon Bobertz and Phil Maier met with Dr. Peter Cotton of the Dewees Island Homeowners Association and other homeowners and toured the Island. SCDNR has received a letter from the Homeowners Association that they are scheduling a mediation and will report back.

Interim Director Boyles reminded the Board that they have received an invitation from the Outdoor Dream Foundation to an event at Whitehall Plantation in Colleton County on September 20 and 21.

Nothing further to report.

Nothing further to report.

1. Division of Administration
   Angie Cassella, Deputy Director for Division of Administration, gave the Board an update on changes to our existing building and the search for a new building.
2. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board an update on a recent alligator incident and the doe urine/CWD preventative regulation.
4. Law Enforcement
   Nothing further to report.
5. Marine Resources
   Mr. Maier reported on the sea turtle season.

1. Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve – Palmetto Conservation Foundation – Temporary Access License
   Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the Temporary Access License as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant approval of the short-term license agreement as presented to allow the Palmetto Conservation Foundation to access and clear an existing road that borders Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve and to deliver construction materials to the City of Walhalla property. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Approval of Expenditure of Funds from Haile Gold Mine Mitigation Trust Fund
   Lorianne Riggin, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, reviewed the request for the expenditure of funds from Haile Gold Mine Mitigation as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of $247,000 from the Haile Gold Mine Mitigation Trust Fund for stream restoration activities as proposed on the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of Expenditure of Funds from Buzzards Roost Fishery Habitat Enhancement Fund
   Mrs. Riggin reviewed the request for the expenditure of funds from Buzzards Roost Fishery Habitat Enhancement Fund as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of $127,635 from the Buzzards Roost Mitigation Trust Fund for fisheries habitat enhancement activities as proposed on Lake Greenwood. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Approval of Heritage Trust FY 2021 Budget
   Mr. Rentiers reviewed the Heritage Trust FY 2021 Budget as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board approve the Heritage Trust FY 2021 Budget request, of $4,657,145, as presented and as recommended and approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to S.C. Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss a personnel item and to discuss contractual matters related to items (E and F).

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

5. Potential Property Acquisition in Pickens County
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition of approximately 12 acres adjoining Wadakoe Mountain Heritage Preserve and Jocassee Gorges Natural Area in Pickens County. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Property Acquisition in Lancaster County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant final approval to acquire two adjacent properties, comprising approximately 59 acres each, adjoining Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve/WMA in Lancaster County to be dedicated as a Heritage Preserve and placed into the corpus of the South Carolina Heritage Trust. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Friday, September 20, 2019, in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year luncheon, at Seawell’s, 1125 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC.

The Board is scheduled to hold a workshop on October 17.

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