The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, August 15, 2013, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, 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, Glenn McFadden, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Board member Randy Lowe’s absence was excused. 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 and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Services, 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, noted there were no guests present.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael noted that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the July 24, 2013, meeting minutes. Caroline Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 24, 2013, meeting as submitted. Cary Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor commended Law Enforcement staff - for recognition from PalmettoPride for winning their statewide Zero Tolerance Achievement Award and receipt of $600.00 award check.
   
   Director Taylor and DNR Deputy Directors recognized the 2012 DNR Employee of the Year and Division Nominees: Land, Water and Conservation: Karen Jones; Law Enforcement: Bethann Herbert; Marine: Robbie Meyer; Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: April Atkinson; and Outreach and Support Services: Denise Froehle, who was also the overall 2012 DNR Employee of the Year.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
1. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met August 1. The Advisory Committee received updates on the Haile Gold Mine, the Waccamaw Mitigation Bank and the budget. The Advisory Committee approved an amendment to the FY 2014 budget and approved the FY 2015 budget.
2. Migratory Waterfowl
   Mike Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 7. The Advisory Committee was informed that Jim Hills has been appointed as the new House appointment and Julian Jones has been reappointed. The artist for the 2014-2015 Duck Stamp, Donnie Hughes, presented four images for the Committee’s consideration. The Committee will select the 2014-2015 Duck Stamp at its next meeting.
9. Item for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Coyote Management Plan Update
      Director Taylor and Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, gave the Board a brief update on the Department's coyote management plan outlining where the Department is currently and recommendations from staff. The Department has liberalized the hunting and taking of coyotes to the greatest extent possible. Director Taylor shared results of a survey, among states, regarding whether they offered a bounty or other incentives, if so, has it been successful. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff have been developing ideas of how to educate landowners on methods of managing their properties to reduce the numbers, which will also be used on public lands. Mrs. Cope provided an update on depredation permits, predator management permits and hunting and trapping seasons. Director Taylor and Mrs. Cope then addressed specific questions and discussed ideas posed by Board members.
      
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Proposed 2013-2014 Late Migratory Bird Season Recommendations
       Mrs. Cope reviewed the 2013-14 late migratory bird season recommendations as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the staff recommendations for the 2013-14 late migratory bird season, as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Amendment to FY 2014 Heritage Trust Budget
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reviewed the proposed amendment to the FY 2014 Heritage Trust Budget as included in the Board meeting package. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the amendment as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Proposed FY 2015 Heritage Trust Budget
       Mr. Rentiers reviewed the proposed FY 2015 Heritage Trust Budget as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board approve the FY 2015 Heritage Trust Budget as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor met with Duane Parrish, Director of SC PRT, to discuss partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with George Thornton and Dr. James Earl Kennamer of NWTF to discuss partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with Representative Bill Hixon on the Georgia/SC Boater Compact.
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that the 2014 Legislative Package should be ready in October.
13. 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: Haile Gold Mine project; South Island Dredging Association; Savannah Harbor Expansion Project; and city of North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove Canal Dredging).
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, informed the board that the Governor’s Cup Awards Banquet will be 5:00 pm, September 29, at the Governor’s Mansion. Mr. Boyles gave the Board an update on the National Saltwater Angler Registry noting that the 2009 changes to the SC Saltwater Recreational Fishing License means residents do not have to pay for a federal license.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, distributed the 2013-2014 Rules and Regulations and asked Board members to please pass along any comments they receive. Mr. Winslow gave the Board an update on the website and its usage noting the top 10 things researched.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope gave the Board an update on WMA Regulation review and the upcoming alligator season.
    5. Law Enforcement
       Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, informed the Board that a new officer saved a potential drowning victim at the Rockville Regatta.
15. Executive Session
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual matters. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the board give final approval to acquire 1,628 acres adjoining the DNR’s Catawba River WMA in Kershaw and Lancaster Counties. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the sale of approximately 0.12 acres of DNR land at Steven’s Creek Heritage Preserve/WMA in Edgefield County to SC DOT. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The September Board meeting will be held Thursday, September 26, 2013 in Columbia.
    
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for August 15, 2013 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.