The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m., September 16, 2011, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Caroline Rhodes presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, John Evans, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam and Larry Yonce. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Caroline Rhodes called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Eric Skidmore offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman John Evans led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Emily Cope, Assistant Director, Special Projects and National Affairs, introduced Wayne Grooms, Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation; Bill Short, SC Ducks Unlimited; Andy Stevenson, SC Ducks Unlimited; Craig LeSchack, SC Ducks Unlimited; Madison Walker, Governor’s Office; Joey Holleman, The State; and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mrs. Cope noted that comments will be made as items come before the Board.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Rhodes asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the August 18, 2011, meeting minutes that were distributed this morning. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 18, 2011, meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Bill Short, SC Ducks Unlimited, pledged to the Department that Ducks Unlimited will cover 50% of the expenses for the Wood Duck Box Program. Mr. Short referenced the long-standing cooperative relationship between DU and SCDNR.
   
   Chairman Rhodes and Mr. Frampton presented the Meritorious Service Award to Al Stokes.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   Marine
   Cary Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met September 9, 2011, in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received reports on the Long Term Inshore Fishery Trammel Net Survey; the commercial shrimp trawling season; and the status of regulatory authority for the sheepshead fishery. The Advisory Committee made a recommendation to the Board to approve the following changes in regulation for sheepshead: reduce the minimum size to 12” and reduce the creel limit to 10 fish. David Whitaker, Assistant Deputy Director for Marine Resources, informed the Board that staff will seek public input on this change and will ask for Board action at a later date. Director Frampton asked that if public meetings are held for public input that other fisheries issues also be discussed such as the upcoming limits of dolphin.
9. Items for Board Information
   Review of License Recommendations
   Chairman Rhodes began the discussion of the Review of License Recommendations by stating that after gathering feedback from some key legislators it appears that this year is not the best time to try to introduce this legislation. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board postpone the license recommendations for a definite time. Mr. Evans seconded the motion. After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Pulliam made a motion to amend the previous motion in its entirety to state that the DNR Board supports the license recommendations, receives them as information but will take no action at this time. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Hutchins noted, for the record, that the date on the resident license sheet included in the meeting package should be 1985/86 not 1958/86.
10. Item for Board Action
    1. South Carolina Black Bear Management and Conservation Strategy 2011
       Sam Chappelear, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, briefly reviewed the SC Black Bear Management and Conservation Strategy 2011, as included in the meeting package, and informed the Board that eight comments were received with six being in favor and two no comment.
       
       Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation, informed the Board that SCWF endorses both the SC Black Bear Management and Conservation Strategy 2011 and the proposal for a limited black bear season in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties.
       
       Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the South Carolina Black Bear Management and Conservation Strategy 2011 as presented. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Proposal for Limited Black Bear Season
       Mr. Chappelear briefly reviewed the Proposal for a Limited Black Bear Season in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties, as included in the meeting package. After a brief discussion, Mr. Pulliam made a motion to approve the Proposal for Limited Black Bear Season with the following additions:
       
       Legal weapons are archery equipment (expandable broad-heads required); muzzleloaders; centerfire rifles (calibers of 270 or greater); and handguns (44 caliber or greater); and shotguns with slugs or buckshot
       
       Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    3. Comprehensive Deer Management Program
       Charles Ruth, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, briefly reviewed the Comprehensive Deer Management Program as included in the meeting package. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the Comprehensive Deer Management Program as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    4. Proposed Reedy River Trust Fund Expenditure (Laurens County)
       Mrs. Cope reviewed the Proposed Reedy River Trust Fund Expenditure for Laurens County and noted that staff are requesting approval to utilize $60,000 of the remaining balance to improve the primary access roads. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the Proposed Reedy River Trust Fund Expenditure (Laurens County) as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefing
    Mr. Frampton had a brief discussion with the Board regarding the State Water Plan.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed the 100 Day Plan and asked Board members to provide him any feedback. This will be an information item at the October meeting.
    
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that the pre-file dates have not yet been set.
13. Environmental Programs
    Bob Perry, Director of the Office of Environmental Programs, reported on the Public Notice for the City of North Myrtle Beach for dredging of fingerling canals at Cherry Grove. Mr. Perry also informed the Board that DHEC has posted draft regulations for the Surface Water Withdrawal Act.
14. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Yonce made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    At this time Mr. Frampton announced the following staff changes: Breck Carmichael will be moving to the Executive Office serving as the Special Assistant to the Director; and Emily Cope will be moved to the position of Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
    
16. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The October Board meeting will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2011, in the DNR Board Room in the Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
    
    The November Board meeting will be held Thursday, November 3, 2011, location to be determined.
    
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for September 16, 2011 (file size 1.65M), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.