SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Chaplain Dave Tafaoa, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SC LEAP), offered the invocation.

Mr. Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation Division, introduced Riley Egger, SC Coastal Conservation League and Christopher Campbell.

Mr. Rentiers informed the Board that Ms. Egger has requested to make comments to the Board. Ms. Egger’s comments were regarding shorebird protection.

Mr. Rentiers informed the Board that Mr. Campbell has requested to make comments to the Board. Mr. Campbell’s comments were regarding his interest in serving on an advisory committee.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the August 19, 2021 meeting minutes. Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 19, 2021 meeting as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Boyles commended Dan DuPre of the Division of Administration for this year’s Camp Wildwood and for his hard work making it such a success. Director Boyles received several thank you letters from participants who attended and passed along their experiences and how much they enjoyed attending and learning about South Carolina’s natural resources.

Director Boyles commended Sam Chappelear, Achi Treptow, Alicia Farrell and Molly Kneece of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for their facilitation of the external review of management challenges at Samworth.

Director Boyles commended Zadok Moss and Alicia Farrell of Wildlife and n Freshwater Fisheries for responding to an early morning alligator incident on Hilton Head Island on September 2.

Director Boyles commended PFC Courtney Angotti-Smith of Law Enforcement Region 4 who will be recognized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) for her Boating Under the Influence (BUI) efforts and success.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on September 8, 2021 at Santee Coastal Reserve. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project. The Advisory Committee received a report on the results of the WMA Sunday Hunting Survey. The Advisory Committee approved the State Lakes Regulations and the Additional Regulations Applicable to Specific Properties.
2. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
   Phil Maier, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met September 2 in Charleston. The Advisory Board approved the 2021 Series Winners. The Advisory Board voted on and approved the recipients for the Special Recognition awards. The Advisory Board approved the Bohicket Tournament’s request for a bye in the 2021 Series and approved the Mega Dock Tournament’s request to withdraw from the Series. The Advisory Board approved the 2022 Series Schedule.

1. Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reported on tropical activity thus far in the season. Dr. Mizzell provided rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflow, lake levels, groundwater monitoring wells around the state, the status of the 2021 hurricane season, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.

Director Boyles attended the David Cupka’s Order of the Palmetto presentation.

Director Boyles met with Governor McMaster and staff for a briefing on horseshoe crabs.

Kevin Ryan, Director of Government Affairs, distributed the Governor’s Proclamation declaring September 25, 2021 as Hunting and Fishing Day. Mr. Ryan reported that the General Assembly is holding their redistricting hearings throughout the state.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, informed the Board that the Crab Bank reconstruction has begun.

1. Marine
   Mr. Maier thanked the DNR family for their support during this challenging time for him and his family.
2. Administration
   No further report.
3. Land, Water and Conservation
   No further report.
4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, distributed the final report of the survey on Sunday Hunting on WMA’s.
5. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave a brief hiring update.

1. Proposed Changes to Regulation Sections 123-204 Additional Regulations Applicable to Specific Properties
   Mrs. Cope briefly reviewed the proposed changes, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the DNR Board approve the proposed changes to Regulation Sections 123-204 Additional Regulations Applicable to Specific Properties as approved and recommended by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Proposed Additions to DNR Regulations Related to Marine Resources
   Mr. Ryan briefly reviewed the proposed additions to DNR Regulations related to Marine Resources, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Lee made a motion that the DNR Board approve the proposed additions to DNR Regulations related to Marine Resources as recommended by staff. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of State Lakes Regulations
   Ross Self, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, briefly reviewed the State Lakes Regulations. Mr. Oxner made a motion that the DNR Board approve the proposed changes to Regulation Sections 123-209 State Lake Regulations as approved and recommended by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Regulation 123-40 Wildlife Management Area Regulations
   Billy Dukes, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, distributed a revised version, from the version included in the meeting packet, of the proposed changes to Regulation 123-40 Wildlife Management Area Regulations. Mr. Dukes then briefly reviewed the proposed changes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the DNR Board approve the proposed changes to Regulation Sections 123-40 Wildlife Management Area Regulations as recommended by staff. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Regulation 123-96 – Field Trial Regulations
   Mr. Dukes briefly reviewed the proposed changes to Regulation 123-96, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Swygert made a motion that the DNR Board approve the proposed changes to Regulation Sections 123-96 Field Trial Regulations as recommended by staff. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the DNR Board go into executive session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss appointments related to Item(s) for Board Action (F and G) and to discuss contractual matters and legal advice related toItem(s) for Board Action (H and I). Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the DNR Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

6. Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the DNR Board approve the following conservation district commissioner appointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
   
   Andrew C. Warner, Greenwood – term 9/16/21 – 1/31/23
   Charles Owens, Pickens – term 9/16/21 – 1/31/23
   Jacob Robinson, Union – term 9/16/21 – 1/31/23
   
   Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the DNR Board approve the following conservation district commissioner reappointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee.
   
   Milton “Mickey” Floyd, Charleston – term 2/28/21 – 2/28/25
   Jason Gamble, Clarendon – term 7/5/21 – 7/5/25
   Jeff Lang Clark, Kershaw – term 5/11/21 – 5/11/25
   Sarah P. Williams, Kershaw – term 5/11/21 – 5/11/25
   Joe Ghent, Jr., Lancaster – term 7/1/21 – 7/1/25
   George Ulmer, Orangeburg – term 1/4/21 – 1/4/25
   Robert Boyce, Lee – term 7/21/21 – 7/21/25
   David B. Owens, Marion – term 1/28/21 – 11/28/21
   
   Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee Appointments
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the DNR Board approve the following reappointments to the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee, as recommended by staff.
   
   James H. McLeod – term ending 9/1/24
   Marvin Davant – term ending 9/1/24
   Larry E. Nates – term ending 9/1/24
   William S. Simpson III – term ending 9/1/25
   Patricia E. Hartung – term ending 9/1/25
   W. Dean Moss, Jr. – term ending 9/1/25
   Thomas E. Garrison III – term ending 9/1/25
   Dr. Webb M. Smathers, Jr. – term ending 9/1/25
   Diane H. Edwins – term ending 9/1/25
   
   Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried with Mr. Swygert voting against the motion.
8. Property Acquisition in Greenville County
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the DNR Board, upon the recommendation of staff and subject to standard due diligence, grant final approval of the acquisition of approximately 850 acres adjoining Tall Pines WMA in Greenville County. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Property Acquisition in Horry County
   Dr. Hartley made a motion that the DNR Board, upon the recommendation of staff and subject to standard due diligence, grant final approval of the acquisition of approximately 1,020 acres in Horry County that will be dedicated as a heritage preserve and placed into the corpus of the SC Heritage Trust. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion to amend the agenda regarding Regulation Sections 123-40 Wildlife Management Area Regulations, due to the timeline for submitting regulations to the General Assembly. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion directing staff to clarify language regarding tree stands in Regulation Sections 123-40 Wildlife Management Area Regulations. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The Board will hold a workshop on October 14, 2021, location TBD.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2021 in Columbia.

Mr. Rasor made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.