SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Cary Chastain called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Norman Pulliam led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Gene Johnston, Michael Bramlett, Thomas Parlier, Dennis Chastain, Jane Chastain and Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors.

Mr. Carmichael reported that Mr. Johnston has requested to brief the Board on discovering petroglyphs in Pickens County. Mr. Chastain then gave the Board a presentation on the petroglyphs.

Chairman Chastain asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the July 19, 2017 meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 19, 2017 meeting as submitted. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor commended Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Media and Outreach staff involved in the Forrest Wood Cup Bass Fishing Championship held on August 11-13 on Lake Murray.

1. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met August 3 at the new Archaeology and Cultural Resources Office in Columbia. The Advisory Board received a presentation from Upstate Forever. The Advisory Board received an archaeological report on the Wateree Heritage Preserve. The Advisory Board was briefed on the outline plans for the Archaeology Center and education plans. The Advisory Board approved several items to be considered for action today.
2. Migratory Waterfowl
   Chairman Chastain reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 9 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee reelected Milton Brazell and Joe Johnson as Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. The Advisory Committee were shown the proofs for the 2018 duck stamp.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief report on the tropics, drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor reported that he and staff have been working on the agency presentation for the Legislative Oversight Committee.

Director Taylor noted that he and staff have been working on the closeout from last year's budget and will soon begin planning next year's budget proposal.

No further report.

Lorianne Riggin, Environmental Programs, reported on Gunter's Island and the Post 45 Harbor Deepening Project.

1. Law Enforcement
   No further report.
2. Marine Resources
   No further report.
3. Outreach and Support Services
   Nothing further to report.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.
5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   No further report.

1. Acceptance of TNC donation of ~49 acre Tract at Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve
   Mr. Rentiers briefly reviewed the proposal for the acceptance of TNC donation of ~49 acre tract at Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve accepting the donation of the 49 acre tract at Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, dedicate it under the Heritage Trust Program, and incorporate it into the corpus of the South Carolina Heritage Trust. The acceptance is to be conditional upon the successful completion of all due diligence. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Acceptance of Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve Byrd III, Hoyt-Cooke and Wall II Tracts into corpus of Heritage Trust. Mr. Rentiers briefly reviewed the proposal for the acceptance of Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve Byrd III, Hoyt-Cooke and Wall II Tracts into corpus of Heritage Preserve, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board recognize the outstanding and unique natural character of the Byrd III, Hoyt-Cooke and Wall II tracts and accept them into the corpus of the South Carolina Heritage Trust. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Dedication of Sassafras Mountain Heritage Preserve
   Mr. Rentiers briefly reviewed the proposal for the dedication of Sassafras Mountain Heritage Preserve, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hinson made a motion that the Board recognize the outstanding and unique natural character of the 7 acre summit of Sassafras Mountain and recommend that the SC DNR dedicate it as a Heritage Preserve under SC Code Section 51-17-80. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Heritage Trust Funding Items
   
   1. Sassafras Mountain Observation Platform
      Mr. Rentiers reviewed the request to utilize funds for the Sassafras Mountain Observation Platform, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the transfer of $389,242 from the Heritage Land Trust Fund to the Permanent Improvement Project 9945 – Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower. The motion carried unanimously.
   2. Crab Bank Island
      Mr. Rentiers reviewed the request to utilize funds for the habitat renourishment for Crab Bank Island, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the transfer of $61,250 from the Heritage Land Trust Fund to the Permanent Improvement Project designated for Crab Bank Island Heritage Preserve. The motion carried unanimously.
   3. FY 2019 Heritage Trust Budget
      Mr. Rentiers reviewed the request for the FY 2019 Heritage Trust Budget, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the transfer of $3,862,526 from the Heritage Land Trust Fund to the Heritage Trust Operating Fund. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Oversight Committee Law Changes
   Shannon Bobertz, Chief Counsel, informed the Board that their approval of the law changes, affecting the agency, is required by the Legislative Oversight Committee. Mrs. Bobertz then offered to answer any questions the Board may have about the law changes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Oversight Committee law changes be approved as submitted. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A): (1) to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

Director Taylor informed the Board that after 17 years of service with DNR, Derrick Meggie has accepted a position with the University of South Carolina.

The September meeting of the Board will be September 29, in conjunction with the Law Enforcement of the Year luncheon at Seawell's in Columbia.

The Board will have a workshop in October.

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