The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, August 19, 2005, in room 335 of Dennis Building, Columbia, 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 and John Evans, Karen Floyd, Frank Murray and Smith Ragsdale. 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 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Cary Chamblee introduced Pat Robertson, Caroline Pinckney, Senator Gregory’s Office; and Joey Holleman, The State.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Chamblee reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the July 15, 2005 meeting. There being none, Mr. Evans made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 15, 2005 meeting as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton introduced Don Winslow, the recently hired Federal Aid Coordinator. Mr. Winslow was previously employed in the Education Section before going to Arizona.

   Mr. Frampton announced that Bob Perry will be serving as the Special Projects Coordinator with the environmental program, beginning October 1.

   Mr. Frampton congratulated Derrick and Jackie Meggie on the birth of their daughter, Michaela Jordyn Meggie, on August 10, 2005.

   Chairman McShane commended Officer Travis Dudley, other DNR staff and civilians involved in the boating accident rescue on Lake Greenwood on August 6, 2005.

   Chairman McShane presented Adrian Rivera the “Making A Difference, Naturally” award for his work on Point of Sale for licenses.

8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Land, Water and Conservation
      Mr. Murray reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on July 21. The Advisory Committee received a presentation from the Bamberg Conservation District; received an overview of the Department’s Habitat Protection Section; received an update on FERC relicensing for Yadkin-Pee Dee river Basin; and an update of the 2005 hurricane season.

      Chairman McShane introduced Kirkman Finlay and informed the Board that he had requested time to address the Board about the proposed waterfowl season. Mr. Finlay expressed concerns regarding the harvest of pintails.

   2. Migratory Waterfowl
      Chairman McShane reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on August 4. The Duck Stamp and Duck Stamp Print program is currently entering is 25th year. The Advisory Committee received updates on the program in Canada, that they approved a $30,000 expenditure, and the Junior Duck Stamp competition.

   3. Waterfowl
      Stephen Davis reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 11. The Advisory Committee received reports on the National Waterfowl Hunter Survey and the South Carolina Waterfowl Hunter Survey Results. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the 2005-2006 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Late Season recommendations. The Advisory Committee received an update on youth license sales and trends, draw hunts and Phragmites control.
9. Items for Board Action
   1. 2005-2006 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Late Season Recommendations
      Breck Carmichael reviewed the staff recommendations for the 2005-2006 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Late Season as sent to the Board in their meeting package. The staff recommendation is for a 50-day season/ 6-bag limit. Mr. Davis informed the Board that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee did discuss mallard limits. After much discussion of pintail population, Chairman McShane offered the following amendment to the staff recommendations on the daily bag limit: 6 total [not to include more than
      2 Wood Ducks, 2 Redheads, 1 Fulvous Tree Duck, 1 Black-Bellied Whistling Duck, 2 Scaup, 4 Mallards (not to include more than 1 female Mallard) and or 1 Black Duck or 1 Mottled Duck, and 1 Pintail]. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the bag limit also be amended to reflect one drake pintail. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion. Mr. Evans suggested that there should be an education process first, then limit it to drake only. Mr. Frampton expressed concern about this proposed motion stating that he feels this is taking away an opportunity for the hunter and felt that there should be an educational process first. The motion failed with Mr. Ragsdale voting in favor.
   
   
   Ms. Floyd made a motion that drake only be a phase-in process after a one-year educational effort. Mr. Murray seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, the motion failed with Ms. Floyd voting in favor.
   
   
   Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to amend the proposed recommendation to reflect a 30-day pintail season this year, with a bag limit of one, occurring the last 30 days of the season to coincide with canvasback. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried with Mr. Evans and Ms. Floyd voting against the motion.
   
   
   Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve the remainder of the 2005-2006 Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Late Season Recommendations as proposed by staff. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

10. Items for Board Information
    1. New DNR Website
       Freddy Vang introduced Patty Epley, DNR’s Webmaster. Ms. Epley is responsible for making the Department’s website compliant with State and Federal handicap law. This states that agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. Mr. Vang also stated that DNR is the first agency to complete this task. Ms. Epley then reviewed the process of revising the website look, content, and compliance. Mr. Frampton commended staff for their work.
    2. Catawba/Wateree Fish and Habitat Enhancement Program
       Dick Christie gave the Board a brief history of the program including the Shoreline Management Plan. Mr. Christie noted that woody debris is created when a tree and/or its branches fall in the shallow water along the shoreline. This habitat is important for fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. In response to concerns regarding loss of shoreline habitat, Duke Power worked with SCDNR, NCWRC and USFWS to develop a program called the Habitat Enhancement Program (HEP). The HEP includes a fee for new docks, an annual contribution from Duke and management by DNR. As of August 1, 341 payments have been collected, most from North Carolina. A Habitat Enhancement Program Advisory Board will oversee the fund. This Advisory Board will meet annually and will include DNR representation. There will also be a lakes committee that will give the Advisory Board input. Grants will be available to qualified applicants for habitat improvement projects.
11. Items for Board Action
    Emergency Regulations for WMA lands, State Parks and Migratory Birds
    Tim Ivey reviewed the proposed emergency regulations for WMA lands, State Parks and Migratory Birds as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the Emergency Regulations for WMA lands, State Parks and Migratory Birds as proposed. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Ivey then distributed proposed emergency regulations for Bucksport WMA and informed the Board that this would institute seasons, limits and methods. Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve the Emergency Regulations for Bucksport WMA as proposed. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
12. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board an update on the Governor’s Budget process.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed copies of a letter from Representative Witherspoon on hunting dove over grain and a letter from Clemson on recommended wheat production guidelines.
    
    Mr. Frampton attended the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee meeting on July 21. Mr. Frampton then distributed a Memorandum dated July 27, 2005, signed by Mr. Frampton, Mr. Vang and Greg Henderson pledging to improve communication. This memo will be distributed to all conservation districts.
13. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Outreach and Support Services
   Carole Collins reported on Point of Sale, License Sales, the September/October issue of South Carolina Wildlife and informed the Board that there will be a Comprehensive Wildlife Plan supplement in the magazine.
2. Marine
   Robert Boyles reported that Shrimp Bait Season will open September 9. Mr. Boyles reported on the Minorities in Marine and Environmental Studies. Mr. Boyles informed the Board of the petition to list the Eastern Oyster as threatened or endangered.
3. Land, Water and Conservation
   Mr. Vang informed the Board that the new Water Resources Report “The 100 Largest Public Water Supplies in South Carolina – 2005, is on the web site and shared one copy with the Board. Mr. Vang distributed copies of Scott Howard’s report “Geologic site assessment for proposed dam in Sumter National Forest, Union County, SC”. Mr. Vang distributed an article from National Geographic on the increase in tropical cyclones due to the 30-year cyclical nature of the storms.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board of two fish kills at Lake Murray and that the Little Saluda River fish kill report will be available for action next month. Mr. Carmichael then announced to the Board that the Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental impact assessment on Phragmites control.
5. Law Enforcement
   Major Gregg Smith distributed the timeline for the upcoming class of officers. Maj. Smith reviewed the activities of the Law Enforcement Division for the month of July. Maj. Smith then briefed the Board on the timeline for the hire of the upcoming class of officers and informed them that eleven transfers have been requested.
14. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Ms. Floyd 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.
    
    There were no items discussed in Executive Session that required Board action.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The September Board meeting will be held on Friday, September 23, in Columbia.
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.