Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, SC

Friday, September 19, 2003

9:30 a.m.

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, September 19, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina.  Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media.  Chairman McShane presided at the meeting.  Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, Malloy McEachin and Smith Ragsdale.  Board Members absent were Dr. Joab Lesesne, Jr. and Dr. Douglas Rucker.  Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

I.  Call to Order

            Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

II.  Meditation

Chairman McShane asked for a moment of silent meditation. 

 

III.  Introduction of Guests

        Mr. Chamblee introduced Noel Hurley, USGS.

 

IV. Approval of Minutes

        Mr. McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the August 15, 2003 meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 15, 2003, meeting as submitted.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

V. Presentations/Commendations

Chairman McShane expressed the pride the Board has in the Department for their actions and leadership throughout the state for their work during the recent hurricane Isabel briefings and preparedness exercises.  The Chairman stated that a letter of appreciation will be distributed to all staff.

 

Mr. Frampton commended Bebe Harrison for her efforts in the 2003 Step Outside State Agency Challenge.  The Department was given an award from the National Shooting Sports Foundation for its participation in this program.

 

  VI. Advisory Committee Reports

A.   Law Enforcement

Mr. Campbell reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on September 10.  Mr. Campbell stated that it has been suggested that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee members visit each region to meet with all divisions.  The Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received the following updates:  region restructuring issues, proposal for a DNR license plate and legislative issues.  Vice chair, Terry LeCroy, and Mr. Campbell encouraged the committee members to develop creative ideas to improve officer morale.  A subcommittee has been formed to study the alligator issues as it relates to management, hunting, biological effects and resource problems. 

 

VII.      Items for Board Action

      A.  Workplace Violence Policy

Jean Cowell informed the Board that a draft Workplace Violence Policy had been included in the meeting package.  Mr.  McEachin asked if language could be added to modify the reference to restraining orders.  It was decided that no action       would be taken on this item until Mr. Mabry, Ms. Cowell and Mr. McEachin can meet and decide the language that should be included.

 

            B. Intellectual Property Policy

     Chairman McShane stated that because there are some contractual issues involved in this policy it will be discussed in executive session.

 

            C. Mitchelville Heritage Preserve Management Plan

     This item will be discussed in executive session.     

 

VIII. Director’s Briefings

Mr. Frampton attended the joint Governor’s Cup Awards Banquet and Harry Hampton Marine Banquet in Charleston on August 16.

 

Mr. Frampton met with local citizens, Billy McTeer and Mark Hall at Jocassee Gorges to discuss land acquisitions on August 18. 

 

Mr. Frampton met with Charles Lane, Sam Hiott and Chairman McShane in Charleston on August 20, to discuss waterfowl issues. 

 

Mr. Frampton attended the Marine Center general staff meeting along with Chairman McShane in Charleston on August 21.  Mr. Frampton discussed the budget situation and answered questions.

 

Mr. Frampton met with Senator Lindsey Graham’s congressional staff at Donnelley on August 25-26.

 

Mr. Frampton, Mr. Chamblee and other staff have attended various subcommittee meetings of the Governor’s Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance.

 

Mr. Frampton and Emily Cope met with Col. Gerber, Corps of Engineers, to discuss the Richard B. Russell mitigation issue.

 

Mr. Frampton represented DNR at the IAFWA annual fall meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, September 10-13.

 

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that staff have been working on an agency presentation that can be shown at meetings with constituent groups and others who request such a presentation.

 

Legislative Report

No report.

 

Habitat Task Force

            Barry Beasley reported that the Habitat Task Force has been reviewing the inventory of properties to make sure that all information is correct and accurate.  Dr. Beasley also stated that the task force is expanding the database and linking it to a map of these properties.

 

IX. Deputy Directors’ Reports

            1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Billy McTeer reminded the Board of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting to be held October 2, in Walhalla.  At the end of this meeting there will be a dedication of a building in honor of Randy Geddings.  Mr. McTeer noted that the Jocassee Forest Management Plan is on the October agenda.

 

            2. Law Enforcement

Col. Wright commended Maj. McCarty, Maj. Smith, and Capt. Watford for their efforts with the recent hurricane activity.  Col. Wright reported that they have held interviews for the Captain positions at Region 2 and 4.  Col. Wright informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Division is waiting on a $38,000 reimbursement on an anti-terrorism grant and $43,000 reimbursement for the victim’s advocate grant.  Col. Wright then briefly reviewed the activities of the Law Enforcement Division over the last month.

 

            3. Conservation Education and Communications and Administrative Services

Carole Collins recognized Greg Lucas for his commitment to natural resources in taking annual leave to travel to Idaho participate in firefighting efforts.  Ms. Collins announced that the National Guard has awarded SC Wildlife magazine an award selected by the South Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.  Ms. Collins commended Bill Pace for his leadership and work with the South Carolina Chapter of the National Procurement Officer Association.  Ms. Collins then read a letter from Debra Templen, a 4th grade teacher at Prosperity-Rikard Elementary School expressing her thanks for Jim Edwards’ animal program.  Ms. Collins reported that license sales are down $400,000 compared to last year.  Ms. Collins reviewed with the Board the $379,000 cut in Law Enforcement because they were to get a portion of the $25 surcharge on tickets.  As of the middle of September $3,800 has been receipted toward this amount.

 

            4. Marine

Chairman McShane announced that Robert Boyles has been named the Acting Deputy Director for Marine Resources.  Mr. Boyles reported that the Fishery Statistic Program began implementation of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistic Program.  Mr. Boyles informed the Board that shrimp baiting season opened September 12 and as of September 18, 10,882 shrimp baiting permits have been sold.  Mr. Boyles stated that Tuesday, September 16, shellfish season opened and as of September 18, 49 commercial shellfish permits have been sold.  Mr. Boyles thanked Chairman McShane and Mr. Campbell for their attendance at the Governor’s Cup and Harry Hampton Banquet.

 

 

            5. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang reminded the Board that Beach Sweep/River Sweep will be held tomorrow, September 20.  Mr. Vang noted that the Water Law Review Committee has had their first meeting and there will be a report and an action item in the General Assembly by January 1.  Mr. Vang distributed a write-up about the State Climate Office.  Mr. Vang then reviewed the necessity of revamping and updating the technology currently used in the Department.

 

            Mr. Chamblee introduced Caroline Pinckney, Research Director for the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. 

 

            Mr. Chamblee provided each Board Member with a copy of the agency’s latest Accountability Report.

 

           Mr. Chamblee then provided each Board Member with information that had been presented to the Governor’s Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance, follow up to questions from the Governor’s budget hearing and questions regarding privatization.

 

   X. 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. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  XI. Return to Regular Session

            The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

 

Chairman McShane announced that Michael Campbell has accepted the role as Vice Chairman.

 

Mr. McEachin made a motion that pursuant to section 1-30-10 of the South Carolina Code, that the DNR Board create a new advisory committee on migratory waterfowl regulations.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to acquire the Mitchelville property in cooperation with the Town of Hilton Head.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to approve the management plan for the Mitchelville Heritage Preserve as proposed by staff and included in the Board package.  Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board adopt the Intellectual Property Policy as provided by staff.  Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Davis made a motion to direct staff to move forward with pursuit of any intellectual property the agency may develop.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board accept the Agency Head Objectives for FY 03-04 as presented.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

XII. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, October 10, 2003, at the Mike McKenzie Building at the National Estuarine Research Reserve Field Station at Bennett’s Point, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

 

XIII.  Adjournment

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