SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, RM 335 1000 Assembly Street Columbia, SC
The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m., August 18, 2022, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Norman Pulliam presided at the meeting. Board members present included Dr. Mark Hartley, Mike Hutchins, Jerry Lee, Carlisle Oxner, Jake Rasor, Jr. and Duane Swygert. Director Boyles and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.
Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chaplain Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SC LEAP), offered the invocation.
Mr. Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Pulliam reported that he attended the Golden Trash Can award ceremony that went to Law Enforcement Region 1. Chairman Pulliam spoke of the recent fish kill at Lake Johnson in Spartanburg County.
Shannon Bobertz, Chief of Staff, introduced David Armstrong, SC Trout Unlimited; Gary Davis, SC Trout Unlimited; Paul McKee, SC Trout Unlimited; Bill Craver, Patriots Point Development Authority; Wayne Adams, Patriots Point Development Authority; and Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors Association.
Mrs. Bobertz informed the Board that Mr. McKee and Mr. Armstrong have requested to address the Board. Mr. McKee spoke briefly of two Trout Unlimited projects in the upstate. Mr. Armstrong gave the Board a brief presentation on the Headwaters Restorations of Two Cold Water Streams - Matthews Creek and Pigpen Branch of Lick Log Creek.
Mrs. Bobertz informed the Board that Mr. Craver has requested to address the Board. Mr. Craver’s comments were related to the execution of the Amended and Restated conservation easement between SCDNR and Patriots Point.
Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the June 16, 2022 Board meeting and the July 14, 2022 Board workshop. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the June 16, 2022 Board meeting and the July 14, 2022 Board workshop as presented. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Presentations/Commendations
Director Boyles commended Meg Gaillard, Heritage Trust Archaeologist of the Land, Water and Conservation Division on her selection to attend the Leadership Course for Cultural Heritage Stewards in Challenging Circumstances hosted by the Cultural Emergency Response (CER) and the Smithsonian Institute with the course taking place in October 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. The hosts accept a very limited number of applicants globally and Meg’s participation will be fully funded.
Director Boyles commended Maria Cox Lamm, Jessica Artz, Laura Whittle and Heather Brown of the Land, Water and Conservation Division for their hard work in assisting the State of Montana emergency coordination center in their response to flooding caused by heavy rainfall in southeastern and south-central Montana. The Flood Mitigation Program was specifically requested through EMAC by the State of Montana to assist and respond to their June flooding disaster. The SCDNR Flood Mitigation Program deployed on 6/20 to Montana. Two members of the team returned on 6/29 and the final two members returned on 7/5. Before deploying to Montana, Maria and Jessica conducted training on Substantial Damage Assessments virtually for the State of Montana staff. Maria also provided guidance and attended a coordination meeting at Montana’s State Coordinators request (virtually) (6/18). While in Montana the Flood Mitigation Program staff provided additional training, conducted Substantial Damage Assessments, provided community outreach assistance, planning and support. The honor of being asked to assist another state during a disaster is a direct indication of the respect and status of the Flood Mitigation Program as a national leader in flood response and recovery.
Director Boyles commended Blaik Keppler, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, on her selection to attend the Diversity Leaders Initiative at The Riley Institute at Furman University.
Director Boyles commended Jessica Elmore, Publications Coordinator in the Administration Division for her hard work and recognition by the Association for Conservation Information (ACI) for 2021 First Place Award for Posters for the poster she designed about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Director Boyles commended Crystal Garcia of the Legal Office and Law Enforcement Region 1 First Sergeant Michael Davis and Region 4 First Sergeant J. P. Jones on receiving their Associate Public Manager (APM) certificate.
Director Boyles congratulated and commended Region 2 Wildlife Section staff Sam Stokes, Don Cockman and Raleigh Lowder as recipients of the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Firebird Award for valuable support of landscape-level restoration of wild bobwhites and long-time SCDNR employee and recent retiree Breck Carmichael for his induction into the inaugural class of the newly established NBGI Quail Hall of Fame.
Director Boyles commended Billy Dukes, Will Dillman, and Jay Butfiloski of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and Law Enforcement Divers Investigator Willis Bowers and PFC Matt Owen and Region 3 officers PFC Elliot Fralick and CO Rex Pierson for their response to an alligator incident in North Augusta. Representative Bill Hixon was there for most of the event and commented on both the professionalism and hard work of our staff.
Director Boyles commended SSGT Philip Robertson of the Law Enforcement Education and Outreach section who heads up the department’s National Archery in the Schools Program. On Friday, August 12, 2022, archers from Pelion Elementary School won the World IBO/3D Archery competition in Pennsylvania (International Bowhunting Organization). These archers are a part of the department’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). We would also like to recognize Coach Colby Coulter for the time and effort he spends with these kids promoting our program. NASP is a program that allows youth from 4th to 12th grades to participate.
Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement Region 4 officers PFC Juston Gantt, CO Andrew Alexander, CO Ethan Campbell and CO Benjamin Davenport for their quick thinking and assistance during a skiing accident off the coast of Pinckney Island, Hilton Head. They were able to provide aid and assistance before EMS arrived. The skier’s wife expressed her thanks and commended us for a job well done.
Director Boyles commended Law Enforcement LT Charlotte Mayhugh on attending the FBI class at Quantico and being selected to give the graduation speech.
Director Boyles commended April Atkinson and Zadok Moss on their quick response and professionalism during an alligator incident in Hilton Head. April and Zadok quickly assessed the situation, communicated with the coroner, sheriff’s office, EMS and on-site security, and successfully retrieved the alligator. The coroner commented as to how impressed he was with the SCDNR response and that he truly appreciated the efforts of our staff.
Updates
Director Boyles informed the Board that the US Fish and Wildlife Service will be
performing a Title VI – Civil Rights Review on the agency soon. This audit is performed
at regular intervals.
Kevin Ryan, Director of Government Affairs, gave the Board a brief update on customer service call wait times. Mr. Ryan reported that the agency is transitioning to a new phone system that will allow all employees from all customer service offices to answer incoming calls and a new message will be recorded to help with navigating the system. Mr. Ryan stated that the new system should be implemented in 4-5 weeks.
Mrs. Bobertz gave the Board a brief update on deer tag issues. Mrs. Bobertz reported that after moving to the new system the two extra tags were not being included in distribution. This error has been recognized and the extra tags should be mailed soon.
Reports
Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported on
regulations for Sunday Hunting. Mrs. Cope noted that draft Sunday Hunting regulations
have been sent to House and Senate Committees and their comments will be included
in the draft regulations that will be presented to the Board in the regulations packet at the
September meeting.
COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, distributed the 2022 Boating Enforcement report.
- Marine
Mr. Swygert reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met June 24, 2022 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received the following reports: Crab Bank: Overview, Shorebird Use, and Aerial Monitoring; and Navigating Coastal Conservation Careers. - Land, Water, Conservation
Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met August 8, 2022 at Geologic Survey. The Advisory Committee received program updates and approved conservation district commissioner appointments and reappointments. - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met August 11, 2022 at Samworth Wildlife Management Area. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Recovery of the Waccamaw River Fish Population following the Impact of Hurricane Florence and updates on the Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project and the Yawkey Research. - Heritage Trust
Mr. Rasor reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met August 11, 2022 at Parker Annex. The Advisory Board received program updates. The Advisory Board discussed potential property acquisitions and approved a FY 2023 Heritage Trust Budget amendment and the proposed FY 2024 Heritage Trust Budget.
Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, provided statistics on lightning
strikes and reported on drought conditions in the state. Dr. Mizzell provided rainfall
totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflow, lake levels, groundwater monitoring wells
around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.
- Approval of FY 2022-2023 Heritage Trust Budget Amendments
Mr. Rentiers reviewed the proposed amendments to the FY 2022-2023 Heritage Trust Budget. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board, acting as the Trustees for the Heritage Land Trust, approve the FY 2024 Heritage Trust Budget, as requested by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion. Dr. Hartley made a motion to table the motion for the FY 2024 Heritage Trust Budget. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board, acting as the Board of Trustees for the Heritage Land Trust, amend the FY 2023 Heritage Trust budget, as requested by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Hartley made a motion to bring the Approval of the FY 2023-2024 Heritage Trust Budget off the table. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Approval of FY 2023-2024 Heritage Trust Budget
Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board, acting as the Board of Trustees for the Heritage Land Trust, approve the FY 2024 Heritage Trust budget, as requested by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. - Approval of FY 2023-2024 Budget Request
Director Boyles reviewed the proposed 2023-2024 Agency Budget Request as included in the meeting packet. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board, subject to further deliberation by staff, affirm the priority order as appropriate and approve the FY 2023-2024 SCDNR State Budget Request as presented and recommended by staff, and authorize staff to make technical corrections to calculations where necessary. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss personnel issues related to Item(s) for appointments related to Item(s) for Board Action C and D and SC Code Section 30-4- 70(A)(2) to discuss contractual matters and legal advice related to Item(s) for Board Action E, F and G. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
- Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments
Mr. Swygert made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the following conservation district commissioner appointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
Greg Brown, Darlington - 8/18/22 - 1/31/23; William James Ladd, Jr., Fairfield - 8/18/22 – 1/31/23; Margaret (Peggy) Palmer, York - 8/18/22 - 2/28/26; and Catherine M. White, York - 8/18/22 - 1/31/25
Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the following conservation district commissioner reappointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
Thomas E. Garrison, III, Anderson - 8/26/21 - 8/26/25; Alan Ulmer, Jr., Beaufort - 10/4/22 - 10/4/26; Claude McLeod, Jr., Beaufort - 10/4/22 - 10/4/26; Michael P. Shirer, Calhoun - 3/3/22 - 3/3/26; Bates Houck, Calhoun - 3/3/21 - 3/3/25; Henry Gettys, Cherokee - 4/7/22 - 4/7/26; Allen L. Beer, Chester - 7/1/22 - 7/1/26; Peggy Williams, Georgetown - 4/29/21 - 4/29/25; Robert Hanley, Greenville - 6/20/22 - 6/20/26; William G. Henderson, Greenwood - 3/3/21 - 3/3/25; Lonnie C. Gillespie, Greenwood - 3/3/22 - 3/3/26; Benjamin W. Hardee, Horry - 9/18/22 - 9/18/26; Gary M. Moore, Lancaster - 7/1/2022 - 7/1/26; and Don G. Grant, Jr., Lee - 7/21/20 - 7/21/24
Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee Reappointment
Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the staff recommendation, and recommended by the Advisory Committee Chair, to reappoint Martha Flowers Herbert to a third term on the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee for a term beginning September 20, 2022 and ending September 19, 2026. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried with Mr. Swygert voting against the motion - Potential Property Acquisition in Greenville County
Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board and grant preliminary approval to evaluate the potential purchase of approximately 33 acres northwest of Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve in Greenville County, that would be dedicated as a Heritage Preserve and placed into the corpus of the SC Heritage Trust, and the expenditure of up to $20,000 in Heritage Trust funds to conduct due diligence activities. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. - Potential Property Acquisition in Pickens County
Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of SCDNR staff, grant preliminary approval to evaluate the potential acquisition of approximately 160 acres adjoining Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County, and the expenditure of up to $20,000 in timber revenue funds to conduct due diligence activities. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously - Potential Property Acquisition in Pickens County
Mr. Oxner made a motion that the SCDNR Board, upon the recommendation of SCDNR staff, grant preliminary approval to evaluate the potential acquisition of approximately 103 acres south of Jocassee Gorges WMA in Pickens County, and the expenditure of up to $20,000 in deer license funds to conduct due diligence activities. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The Board’s next scheduled meeting will be held Friday, September 16, 2022.
Dr. Hartley made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
The SCDNR Board Minutes for August 18, 2022(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.