The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, August 20, 2004, 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, Frank Murray and Smith Ragsdale. Board Member Karen Floyd was absent. 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 Representative Bill Herbkersman.
   
   Capt. Glenn Ward introduced Law Enforcement Officers Carl Makins and Michael Thomas.
5. Constituent Comment
   Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that Mr. Richard Sheehan and Mr. Mills Rooks requested to speak to the Board. Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Brooks spoke to the Board regarding the intensive shrimp farming project at the Waddell Center.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any other corrections or additions to the minutes of the August 20, 2004, meeting. Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 20, 2004 meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   BeBe Harrison announced to the Board that Emanuel Ramirez was the winner of this year’s Reel Art Best of Show. Mr. Ramirez has moved to Winston-Salem and was unable to attend the meeting. Mrs. Harrison showed the Board some of the prizes Mr. Ramirez received.

   Chairman McShane presented Meritorious Services Awards to Sally Murphy, David Cupka, David Whitaker, Bob Van Dolah and Robert Boyles for their work in reviewing and making recommendations for response to the National Oceans Commission Report. Dr. George Sedberry was unable to attend and will be presented his award at a later date.

   Mr. Frampton commended Columbia staff and field staff for their preparations for Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley. Vice Chairman Campbell also commended the Climatology staff for their accuracy.

8. Advisory Committee Reports
1. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
   Robert Boyles discussed highlights of the July 22 meeting. The Advisory Board reviewed the 2004 season and received a report from the tournament committee. Mr. Hood has completed his tenure as Chairman of the Advisory Board and has been replaced by Mr. John Darby. Mr. Darby was appointed by the nominations committee. Mr. Boyles requested Board approval of the 2003 Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Annual Report. There being no objections to this request the report was approved.
2. Migratory Waterfowl
   Chairman McShane reported that the Canvasback was chosen for the 2005 Migratory Waterfowl Print and the Black Duck has been chosen for 2006.
3. Heritage Trust
   Barry Beasley reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board approved a Black Bear Corridor, in Horry County, as a protection project. The Advisory Board received a report on the exotic Hemlock Wooly Adelgid problem in Jocassee Gorges. The Advisory Board approved the release of non-native predator beetles, on heritage preserves within Jocassee Gorges, to combat the problem. The Advisory Board approved a conservation easement and management plan for Peachtree Rock, in Lexington County. Dr. Beasley informed the Board that the purchase of 2.2 acres at Sassafras Mountain was added to the Budget. Dr. Beasley stated that the nominating committee recommended Julia Krebs and Campbell Coxe respectively as Chair and Vice Chair. A vote will be taken at the November meeting. Dr. Beasley also thanked Al Stokes for his help in the management of the Victoria Bluff Preserve.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Stephen Davis reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on August 11. The Advisory Committee received a briefing on DNR issues; received a report on the Board Workshop; and received a briefing on division issues. The Advisory Committee also received a report on the Federal Waterfowl Framework.
9. Items for Board Information
   Dr. Craig Browdy gave the Board a brief presentation on the history and future projects and plans of the Waddell Mariculture Center.
1. Employee Rewards and Recognition Program
   Carole Collins briefed the Board on the Employee Rewards and Recognition Program the Department will be implementing. The agency formed a team to survey staff asking what types of recognition were most valued and appreciated, least valuable, and the best recognition ever received. Based on this feedback and other information, the committee came up with seven types of recommended recognitions.

   Ms. Collins also reported that an effort will begin, to increase retiree contacts. The retiree group will be called STARS (Staying Together After Retirement Starts). Linda Amick will be assisting in the formation of this group.

Mr. Frampton advised the Board that Linda Campbell, currently in Human Resources, will be moving to Outreach and Support Services Division to begin coordination of the two aforementioned programs.

2. Impoundment Policy
   Ed Duncan gave the Board the history of the creation of impoundments for rice fields, past legal decisions, and the current regulatory landscape. Mr. Duncan reviewed the current DNR policy and answered questions posed by Board Members. Mr. Frampton stated that a team would be formed to review, recommend revisions and report back to the Board.
10. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Return to Regular Session
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

Mr. Davis made a motion that the Department enter into a formal lease agreement on the Poinsett Bridge. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Evans made a motion that the Department move forward with the purchase of a tract of land in the ACE Basin. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Department move forward with the purchase of property in the Florence for a regional office. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Murray made a motion that the Board approve the easement for a power pole at Cheraw Fish Hatchery. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board reappoint Coy Johnston to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

12. Items for Board Action
    
    1. 2004-2005 Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season Recommendations
       Breck Carmichael informed the Board that the recommendation for the 2004-05 Late Migratory Bird Season had been sent by fax to Board Members. Mr. Carmichael reminded the Board that these recommendations are consistent with the last several years with two exceptions. There is a new recommendation for a one-bird limit on black-bellied whistling ducks and the 30-day pintail season will occur during the last 30 days of the 50-day waterfowl season. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the 2004-05 Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season Recommendations as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

    2. Emergency and Proposed Regulations
       Tim Ivey reviewed the proposed emergency regulations for public dove fields and Croft and Santee State Parks. Mr. Ivey then reviewed the proposed regulations for WMA’s. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the emergency regulations and proposed regulations as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
13. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton briefed the Board on 2005-06 budget preparations.

Col. Taylor represented DNR at the Joint Bond Review Committee meeting on July 27 and the Budget and Control Board meeting on August 12 with approval of the new airplane purchase on the agenda. At the August 12 meeting, the Budget and Control Board approved the Department’s request to purchase a new Vulcanair P68 Observer 2 aircraft.

Mr. Frampton participated in the IAFWA State Wildlife Strategies Conference in Nebraska City on August 1-4.

Mr. Frampton and Chairman McShane met with the Yawkey Foundation trustees on July 26, in Boston, Massachusetts.

14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Land, Water and Conservation
   Freddy Vang commended the Hunter Education staff on a recent course to which he sent some boy scouts.
2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Carmichael asked Sally Murphy to provide a brief summary of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting season results. Mr. Carmichael also reported on a new USDA initiative to provide incentives to agriculture producers to incorporate vegetated field borders into their row-cropping operations.
3. Law Enforcement
   Col. Taylor informed the Board that insurance settlement funds, the sale of one plane and JEA funds were used to purchase the aircraft. Col. Taylor gave the Board a brief report on Law Enforcement’s role in Hurricane Charley.
4. Outreach and Support Services
   Ms. Collins reported the she and Chairman McShane attended the first Improving Quality in Natural Resources Activity Based Budget meeting. Ms. Collins informed the Board that year to date license sales are still up 12%. Ms. Collins also stated that the ETV show will be on August 21 at 6:30 pm.
5. Marine
   Mr. Boyles distributed Saltwater Fishing Promotional Materials to Board Members along with the newly published Shark Identification Guide. Mr. Boyles reminded the Board that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series/Harry Hampton Marine Conservation banquet has been rescheduled for August 28.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The next meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, September 17, 2004, in Columbia.

    The October Board meeting will be held on Friday, October 15, 2004, in the Jocassee area.

    The November Board meeting will be held in Columbia.

16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.