SCDNR Board Workshop Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SCLEAP, offered the invocation.

Vice Chairman Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the August 17, 2023 Board meeting. Chairman Pulliam noted the following correction.

2. Approval of FY 2024-2025 Budget Request Director Boyles reviewed the proposed FY 2024-2025 SCDNR Budget Request, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Swygert made a motion that the SCDNR Board affirm the priority order as appropriate, and approve the FY 2024-2025 SCDNR State Budget Request as presented and recommended by staff, and authorize staff to make adjustments and technical corrections to calculations where necessary. Mr. Lee seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, Mr. Hutchins offered the following amendment that the amount for Priority 16 – Habitat and Land Conservation/Protection be changed from $30,000.00 $30,000,000.00 to $40,000.00 $40,000,000.00. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried. Mr. Swygert amended the motion as follows, that the SCDNR Board affirm the priority order as appropriate, and approve the FY 2024- 2025 SCDNR State Budget Request as presented and recommended by staff, with the amendment for the increase from $30,000.00 $30,000,000.00 to $40,000.00 $40,000,000.00 for Priority 16 – Habitat and Land Conservation/Protection and authorize staff to make adjustments and technical corrections to calculations where necessary. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Swygert made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 17, 2023 Board meeting as amended. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Shannon Bobertz, Chief of Staff, noted there were no requests for constituent comments.

Commendations
Director Boyles commended Rhonda Kelly of the Office of Operations, SCDNR at the Market, who was commended in an email to the Director from a constituent who was trying to obtain a gill net license. He said that after connecting with Rhonda that she “listened to my request, had to do some research, mailed to me the correct application form and now I have my license.” He said, “She went above and beyond to help.”

Director Boyles commended GIS Manager Tanner Arrington of Information Technology for his quick assistance in preparation of a map for use in a meeting with Governor McMaster and USFWS Acting Southeast Regional Director Mike Oetker on a land acquisition at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.

Director Boyles commended Lt. Raquel Salter of Law Enforcement who was invited as a guest speaker at the first annual Women in Law Enforcement Conference for Texas Game Wardens and Park Police Officers at the Texas Game Warden Academy hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife. She discussed her experiences as a female game warden and supervisor in a game and fish agency. Other guest lecturers were from the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Chief of Police from Waco, Texas, Major from Wisconsin DNR, and a Captain from the Oklahoma Game and Fish.

Director Boyles commended Marine Resources Deputy Director Blaik Keppler and Director of Marine Resources Research Institute Tanya Darden who were commended in a letter from Scott Whittaker, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) South Carolina, for their coordination of presentations to CCA South Carolina at the Waddell Mariculture Center and the Marine Resources Research Institute. Mr. Whittaker said, “…all CCA members in attendance that day came away with high praise for the MRD staff’s knowledge and enthusiasm for their work.” He also commended staff across the Division, including Aaron Watson, Joey Ballenger, Jason Broach and Erin Levesque who were involved with the events.

Director Boyles commended Pam Corwin of the Marine Resources Division who was commended in an email from a Retired Master Sergeant who was an attendee at the Mobility Impaired Fishing Clinic at Edisto State Beach and who expressed his enthusiasm for the event and how much he enjoyed the experience. He said that Pam Corwin and her staff were “beyond gracious in making my experience an exciting and fun time.” He said, “This is a must do for those of us who are mobility challenged.”

Director Boyles commended Tracey Smart of the Marine Resources Division who was selected to serve a two-year term on the Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Director Boyles commended Julie Binz of Marine Resources who was selected for and recently began the Riley Fellow program to participate in the Diversity Leaders Initiative through Furman University.

Director Boyles commended Joey Coz and Matt Perkinson of Marine Resources for receiving the 2023 Sportfish Restoration Project Award in the category of angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation and/or aquatic education from the American Fisheries Society for the Marine Gamefish Tagging Program.

Director Boyles commended Deputy Director Blaik Keppler, Ben Dyar, Jeff Brunson and Angel Brown of Marine Resources and Deputy Director Emily Cope and Felicia Sanders of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for their work/collaboration on the Defenders of Wildlife lawsuit.

Director Boyles commended Chief Budget and Finance Officer Scott Speares and Assistant Budget Director Caleb Cohoon for their work in rectifying a potential issue with indirect funds associated with Federal Aid in Wildlife and Sportfishing Restoration.

Director Boyles commended Conservation Officer Austin Spell of Law Enforcement Region 2 who was commended in an email from a constituent who applauded Officer Spell for his unselfish help in assisting the constituent’s neighbor with a flat tire on Highway 76 and getting her and her three minor children, including a newborn, back on the road.

Susan Porter, General Counsel, gave the Board a brief review of the permitting process and the timeline for the Scout Project.

Director Boyles introduced Austin Lewis, the Risk Management and Compliance Officer and Duncan Crotwell, Director of Government Affairs.

Blaik Keppler, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, and Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries gave the Board a brief update on the impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

Director Boyles read an agency statement regarding the Scout Motor project. “The development of the Scout Motors facility in South Carolina is an exciting endeavor for the state economy, and the investment in electric vehicle manufacturing represents a significant step in promoting sustainable natural resources stewardship. In the review of the project’s permit application, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, as the state agency responsible for protecting the state’s natural resources, provided both questions and comments to aid in development of the best mitigation plan possible so that the Scout Motors project will be a leading example of the South Carolina way – where economic development and conservation go hand in hand.”

Director Boyles then asked Lorianne Riggin, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, to give the Board a brief update on where the Scout Motors project stands.

The Board wishes to go on record that they are in full support of the Scout Project.

Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
Mrs. Keppler reported that the Governor’s Cup Advisory Board met September 11, 2023. The Advisory Board approved the 2023 Series winners and the 2024 tournament schedule.

1. Climate Update Frank Strait, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported on Hurricane Idalia. Mr. Strait provided rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflow, lake levels, groundwater monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.
2. Jocassee Gorges Protection Mrs. Cope reviewed the protections currently on Jocassee Gorges due to NAWCA funds being used to purchase properties. There are protections in the Grant Agreement from USFWS.

1. Proposed Changes to 123-40 – Wildlife Management Area Regulations
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the Proposed Changes to 123-40 – WMA Regulations. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the proposed amendments to Regulation 123-40, WMA Regulations, as presented by staff. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Proposed Changes to 123-46 - Deer Depredation Permits Regulations
   Charles Ruth, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reviewed the Proposed Changes to 123-46 – Deer Depredation Permits Regulations. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the proposed amendments to Regulation 123-46, Deer Depredation Permits, as presented by staff. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Proposed Changes to 123-52 – Antlerless Deer Limits Regulations
   Mr. Ruth reviewed the Proposed Changes to 123-52 – Antlerless Deer Limits Regulations. Mr. Lee made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the proposed amendments to Regulation 123-52, Antlerless Deer Limits, as presented by staff. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Proposed Changes to 123-204 - Property Use Regulations
   Mrs. Cope reviewed the Proposed Changes to 123-204 – Property Use Regulations. Mr. Rasor made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the proposed amendments to Regulation 123-204, Additional Regulations Applicable to Specific Properties, as presented by staff. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made the following statement, “In support of the Scout project, the SCDNR Board is committed to ensuring economic development grows and flourishes in our state while doing our best to balance the management, enhancement and protection of the State’s natural resources.” Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the SCDNR staff continue to work with SC Department of Commerce, SC Department of Transportation, US Army Corps of Engineers, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, Federal Highway Administration, Scout Project consultant team and State Historic Preservation Office. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board will hold a workshop on Friday, October 20, 2023 in West Columbia.

Mr. Lee made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.