The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m., August 18, 2011, 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 Caroline Rhodes presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, John Evans, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam and Larry Yonce. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Caroline Rhodes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Dave Smith offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman John Evans led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Ashley Close, Governor’s Office intern; Madison Walker, Governor's Office; Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Constituent Comments
   Cary Chamblee offered the assistance of the SC Wildlife Federation and Camo Coalition to the Department and members of the Board with regard to legislation and budget.
   
6. Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended the SC Envirothon Team from Spartanburg High School for placing 3rd overall at the Canon Envirothon competition in New Brunswick, Canada.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Sgt. Lynwood Kearse on being named Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Quality Deer Management Association.
   
7. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Rhodes offered the following corrections to the July 27, 2011, meeting minutes.
   8. Advisory Committee Reports
      Waterfowl
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Waterfowl reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on June 30 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee was given an update on the Wood Duck Box Program and the budget. The Advisory Committee adopted the 2011-12 Early Season Migratory Bird Hunting recommendations.
   9. Items for Board Information
      3. Discussion of Climate Change Impacts to Natural Resources in South Carolina
         After a video presentation and lengthy discussion the Board recommended that Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, and Dr. Mizzell work with the Climate Change Technical Work Group to make Board recommended changes to the document entitled Climate Change Impacts to Natural Resources in South Carolina. Mr. Perry and Dr. Mizzell will meet with individual Board members to make sure appropriate changes and recommendations are considered. A refined draft will be presented to the Board at the September Board Meeting for their review.
   Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 27, 2011, meeting, as amended. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Heritage Trust
      Randy Lowe reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met on August 8. The Advisory Board received updates on Region 4 activities, Poinsett Bridge and activities of the Land, Water and Conservation Division. The Advisory Board approved the Fiscal Year 2013 budget that will be presented for the Board’s consideration.
      
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, briefly reviewed the proposed FY 2013 Heritage Trust Budget. Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, explained the Heritage Trust Annual Debt Service. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve both the FY 2013 Heritage Trust Budget and the Heritage Trust Annual Debt Service. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   2. Waterfowl
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 9. The Advisory Committee received a report on the 2011-12 waterfowl season harvest and an update on pond counts and breeding areas in Canada. The Advisory Committee approved the 2011-12 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting recommendations that will be presented for the Board’s consideration.
   3. Migratory Waterfowl
      Mike Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 10. Mr. Hutchins informed the Board that, due to the fact a quorum was not present, the Advisory Committee will take up elections in November. The Advisory Committee reviewed the work of several artists for the Duck Stamp since Jim Killian’s contract will expire this year and he will not be renewing it. The Advisory Committee also discussed the potential combining of the Migratory Bird Permit and Duck Stamp to be called the Migratory Game Bird Permit.
9. Item for Board Information
1. Proposal for Limited Black Bear Season
   Breck Carmichael informed the Board that there is limited hunting in the Upstate but nothing for the coast. Mr. Carmichael stated that the harvest recommendations are based on the population model developed to maintain a sustainable population level. The Board posed questions regarding the application fee, the tag fee, the caliber size and the possibility of limiting the number of nonresidents. Mr. Carmichael noted that the SC Black Bear Management and Conservation Strategy, 2011 document will be placed on the website and meetings will be held to receive public input.
2. Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state and the tropics.
3. Progress on the 100 Day Plan
   Director Frampton and the Board reviewed the progress of the 100 Day Plan. After a brief discussion of the progress and the limitations involved with other goals, Chairman Rhodes and the Board instructed Mr. Frampton and staff to develop a concise report card of the 100 Day Plan.
10. Item for Board Action
    1. Board Policies
       Terri McGee, Director of Human Resources, briefly reviewed the draft Board policies 100.01 (DNR Board Operational Procedures), 100.02 (Guidelines for Board Members) and 704.04 (Nepotism Policy) as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion to approve policy 100.01 with the following amendment:
       1. At each regularly scheduled meeting the Board may provide an opportunity for members of the public to make constituent comments. Persons wishing to make comments should generally must contact the DNR Executive Office or Chairman at least 24 hours in advance of the Board meeting, or at the Chairman or Executive Office’s discretion, to advise the nature of their comments. Comments will generally be limited to five minutes each and the time allotted to all comments will be determined by the Chairman. Any comments on issues which are related to personnel, contractual or legal issues may be deferred to Executive Session. Constituents who will be asking the Board to take action on a matter must schedule the matter through the Executive Office at least 10 working days before a meeting or at the discretion of the Chairman.
       Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
       Mr. Evans made a motion that policies 100.02 and 704.04 be approved as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. 2011-12 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting Recommendations
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the proposed 2011-12 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting Recommendations as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the 2011-12 Late Season Migratory Bird Hunting Recommendations as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

    2011-2012 Late Migratory Bird Seasons for SC

    (Staff Recommendaion)

    Species	Open Dates (All dates inclusive)	Shooting Hours	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
    *Ducks (Excluding Sea Ducks)	Nov. 19—Nov. 26 Dec. 10—Jan. 29	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	6 total, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 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).	12 total, including no more than 8 mallards (4 hens), 2 pintails, 2 fulvous whistling ducks, 2 black-bellied whistling ducks, 6 wood ducks, 4 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scaup and (2 black ducks or 2 mottled ducks or 1 black duck and 1 mottled duck).
    Mergansers	Nov. 19--Nov. 26 Dec. 10--Jan. 29	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	5 (not to include more than 1 Hooded Merganser)	10 (not to include more than 2 Hooded Mergansers)
    ** Sea Ducks (eiders, scoters, long-tailed ducks)	Oct. 15--Jan. 29	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	7 (Not to include more than 4 scoters)	14 (Not to include more than 8 scoters)
    Coots	Nov. 19--Nov. 26 Dec. 10--Jan. 29	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	15	30
    *** Canada Geese/ White Fronted Geese (Late seasons)	Nov. 19--Nov. 26, Dec. 4--Feb 3 Feb. 6--Feb. 9	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	5 (not to include more than 2 white-fronted geese)	10 (not to include more than 4 white-fronted geese)
    Blue & Snow geese	Nov. 19--Nov. 26 Dec. 10--Jan. 29	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	25	No limit
    ****Brant	Dec. 12 — Jan. 30	1/2 hour before Sunrise until Sunset	2	4

    There is no open season 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.

    ****The season for Atlantic brant is limited to 50 days, total.

    Youth Only Waterfowl Hunting Days

    *YOUTH-ONLY Waterfowl Hunting Days: Daily and possession bag limits are the same as shown above.

    Dec. 3, 2011 - 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.

    Feb. 4-5, 2012 - 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. Emergency Regulations for Opening Public Dove Fields and Croft State Natural Area
       Mr. Carmichael briefly reviewed the Emergency Regulations for Opening Public Dove Fields and Croft State Natural Area as included in the meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion to approve the Emergency Regulations of Opening Public Dove Fields and Croft State Natural Area as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
11. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a brief budget update.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed and discussed a sheet on the Endangered Species Act.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed and discussed the Boone and Crockett club publication "The Secret World Inside the Animal Rights Agenda."
    
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, gave the Board a brief overview of the two year legislative session. Mr. Meggie explained that legislation carried forward from last year will pick up at the beginning of the session. Mr. Meggie stated that simple bills introduced in the second year can sometimes move forward, but if it’s a complicated bill that requires a hearing it may not pass over to the other house within the month of April.
13. Environmental Programs
    Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, stated that he had no further report.
14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael stated that he had nothing further to report.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, stated that he had nothing further to report.
       
    3. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, gave the Board an update on actions taken recently by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.
    4. Outreach and Support Services
       Ms. Collins stated that she had nothing further to report.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ms. Collins stated that she had nothing further to report.
15. Comments
    Mr. Hutchins distributed and discussed a working draft of southeastern states’ license and watercraft fee comparisons. Mr. Hutchins noted that the “recommended” amount is his recommendation, as that amount is typically below the average of the states. After some discussion, Mr. Frampton suggested that he and staff review the information and have recommendations ready for the September meeting for possible action at the October meeting.
    
    Mr. Hutchins also distributed draft options for deer management legislation. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Frampton recommended that he and staff review the options and have a recommendation for the next meeting. The Board requested that the minutes reflect that they are in unanimous agreement on a deer management program.
    
16. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Evans made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual and personnel matters. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Open Session
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Evans made a motion to approve staff to proceed with project set-up and due diligence activities on a potential 3,500-acre acquisition in Lancaster and Kershaw counties. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion to approve staff to proceed with project set-up and due diligence activities on a potential 5-acre addition to Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board appoint Joel Eugene Adams to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, subject to normal background checks. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
18. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The September Board meeting will be held Friday, September 16, 2011, in Columbia.
    
    The October Board meeting will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2011, in Columbia.
    
19. 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 8, 2011 (file size 1M), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.