The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday, August 18, 2006, at the Waddell Mariculture Center, Bluffton, South Carolina. 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 and Frank Murray. 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 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Mr. Murray to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Chairman McShane noted that members of the Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper County Legislative Delegations as well as Senator Glenn McConnell and Representative Bobby Harrell were invited to the meeting. Hank Stallworth introduced Mr. Dean Moss, General Manager, Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, and Caroline Pinckney, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
   
   Mr. Moss briefed the Board on some of the issues involved with growth in the Beaufort-Jasper area. There are currently 56,000 units permitted, but not yet built, between Sun City and Interstate 95. Mr. Moss noted that every large parcel is being developed in southern Beaufort County. Mr. Moss served on the Governor’s Water Law Review Committee and currently serves on the Governor’s Savannah River Committee. Chairman McShane, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Moss for his efforts. .
5. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane offered the following amendment to the minutes of the July 21, 2006, meeting.
   1. Bond Execution Authorization
      Mr. Frampton noted that it appears the agency is having success with federal funding, but that won’t be finalized until issues of the federal budget are resolved by Senate and House Conference, which is not likely to happen until after the election. Based on past success rates and taking a conservative line, bonding should be at approximately $22,350,000. Mr. Frampton requested authorization from the Board to move forward with the Bond and authorization for signatures. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve affirm the February 17, 2006, Resolution for issuance and sale by the Trustees of the Heritage Trust Revenue Bonds (Bond Resolution of 2006). Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. A motion was made to provide affirm the February 17, 2006, Resolution for the issuance and sale (Series Resolution) not to exceed $32,000,000. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board designate Hank Stallworth or Carole Collins as alternate representatives of the Department who are authorized to attest to official acts of the Board. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   Mr. Davis offered the following addition to the minutes of the July 21, 2006 meeting.
   2. Road Hunting
      Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Board recommends the issue of road hunting be addressed. The Advisory Board has asked Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Law Enforcement staff to discuss and draft a bill addressing safety and trespassing. Staff have developed the following for further study. “It is unlawful for any person to shoot from, on to, or across any paved secondary, primary, or interstate highway open to traffic”. It is important to note that this is amending a Title 56 statute not a Title 50 statute. Representative Umphlett stated that he is drafting a bill to address this issue and the Board requests staff to coordinate this effort. Mr. Carmichael stated that Section B of the draft states that “it is unlawful to possess a rifle or shotgun on any paved secondary, primary, or interstate highway open to traffic unless the weapon is completely empty of all ammunition.” The intent of this is to address safety but it could also help with trespass.

   Chairman McShane asked if there were any other additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the July 21, 2006, meeting. Mr. Davis made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2006, meeting as amended. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

6. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Denise Froehle for her work as Team Captain for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Robert Boyles and his staff for their work on the Harry Hampton Marine Conservation Banquet held in Charleston on August 12.
   
   
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   Heritage Trust
   Barry Beasley reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met on August 2 at Archives and History in Columbia. The Advisory Board received an overview of the proposed corridor for I-73 through South Carolina. The preferred route runs the corridor through one corner of the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. The Heritage Trust Advisory Board will eventually have to make recommendations to the DNR Board on mitigation associated with this project. The Advisory Board will discuss the various options at their November meeting. Dr. Roger Stroup gave the Advisory Board a brief history on the lodge at Hamilton Ridge. The Advisory Board reviewed and approved the Yawkey Heritage Preserve Plan. The Advisory Board received an update on the Bond proceeds..
   
8. Item for Board Information
   1. Overview of Waddell Mariculture Center
      Dr. Mike Denson gave the Board a brief overview of the programmatic portfolio of the Waddell Mariculture Center. Dr. Denson noted that WMC provides a DNR presence on the southern coast and in the community. Dr. Denson noted that the WMC’s mission is to apply culture technologies to enhance and sustain South Carolina’s natural resources. Dr. Denson reviewed ongoing research including the Red Drum model and the Cobia research. He concluded his presentation by reviewing WMC sources of funding and their cooperators/partners.
9. Item for Board Action
   Emergency Regulations (Croft State Natural Area, 2006 Public Dove Fields and 2006 WMA Regulations)
   Tim Ivey reviewed the emergency regulations for Croft State Natural Area as included in the Board package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the emergency regulations for Croft State Natural Area as presented. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Ivey reviewed the emergency regulations for 2006 Public Dove Fields as included in the Board package. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board accept the emergency regulations for the 2006 Public Dove Fields as presented. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Ivey distributed and reviewed the amended emergency regulations for the 2006 WMA Regulations (copy attached to the original minutes). Mr. Ivey reviewed in detail the amendments to these emergency regulations from what was previously submitted for approval. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board accept the amended emergency regulations for the 2006 WMA Regulations, as distributed today. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
10. Advisory Committee Report
    Waterfowl
    Breck Carmichael reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 15, at the Dennis Wildlife Center, in Bonneau. Two new members joined the Committee, Mr. Parker Barns and Mr. Steven Thomas. The Advisory Committee discussed the proposed Waterfowl Stamp budget for the upcoming year. The Advisory Committee would like to continue the peer review process on the waterfowl management areas. The Advisory Committee is interested in developing a strategy to increase the cost of the State Waterfowl Stamp to make it equal to the cost of the Federal Stamp. Chairman McShane noted that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Board report will be given at the September meeting. The Waterfowl Advisory Committee received a report on the Avian Influenza Plan. The Advisory Committee received and discussed staff recommendations on the 2006-2007 Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season and voted unanimously to endorse this recommendation.
11. Item for Board Action
    2006-2007 Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season Recommendations
    Mr. Carmichael reviewed the staff recommendations for the Board. After much discussion regarding the time of the youth days by the Board, Mr. Evans made a motion to adopt the staff recommendation with the exception of youth days being the first Saturday and Sunday (February 3 and 4) after closure. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton reported that Chairman McShane and he signed the Heritage Trust bond documents on August 8 (a copy of this document is attached to the original minutes).
    
    Mr. Frampton met with Mr. Stallworth, Carole Collins and Terri McGee on August 10 to discuss the Administrative Salary Study.
    
    Mr. Frampton and Derrick Meggie met with Representative Gilda-Cobb Hunter in Orangeburg on August 10 to discuss constituent issues.
    
13. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor reported that the interview process has started for the next class of Law Enforcement Officers. Col. Taylor noted that there have been eight boating fatalities thus far this calendar year.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins informed the Board of the following ACI Awards received by OSS: 2nd place in photography, by Phillip Jones; 1st place in calendar for sportsman’s calendar and 2nd place in calendar for weather calendar. Ms. Collins reported that the minority internship program is complete, but some have been hired to continue as hourly employees.
    4. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles thanked staff from all divisions for their assistance with the Harry Hampton Marine Conservation Banquet. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the recreational shrimp baiting season will open September 15.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Freddy Vang distributed and reviewed the Drought Committee report and noted that they will probably have another meeting next week. Mr. Vang gave the Board a brief meteorological report on the tropics and conditions affecting the Southeast.
14. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Return to Regular Session
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
    
    Chairman McShane noted that there were no issues discussed in executive session requiring Board action.
    
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The September Board meeting will be held on Friday, September 15, 2006, in Columbia, to coincide with the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Luncheon. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am.
    
    The October Board meeting will be held on Friday, October 20, 2006, in the upstate area.
    
    The November Board meeting will be held on Friday, November 17, in Columbia.
    
    The December Board meeting will be held on Friday, December 15, in Columbia.  
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.