The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008, in Room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC. 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, and Caroline Rhodes. Board members Frank Murray and Norman Pulliam’s absences were excused. 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 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation and then commended Katie McMillan, Robert Wiggers, and Tom Salisbury for a recent heroic effort. They were on the educational vessel Discovery in the South Edisto River on the way to Edisto to pick up people for an education cruise. They received a distress call over the radio and responded. A woman on a boat had collapsed. . Ms. McMillan and Mr. Wiggers boarded the boat and gave first aid (CPR to the apparent heart attack victim for about twenty minutes while in route to Bennett's Point where EMS met them). Unfortunately, the woman expired. Chairman McShane asked that the group keep these staff and the woman’s family in their thoughts.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow introduced Jerry Gault, Arthur Ford, Cary Chamblee, SC Wildlife Federation; Caroline Pinckney, SC Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee; Gene McCall; Joey Holleman, The State; and Scott Whitaker, CCA.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Winslow informed the Board that Jerry Gault requested to make comments. Mr. Gault commented on the blue crab market and the Department’s draft legislation.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions, or corrections to the minutes of the August 14, 2008, meeting. There being no amendments, deletions, or corrections, Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 14, 2008, meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended agency staff involved with staffing the DNR booths and activities during the 1st Annual Forrest Wood Cup Championship Fishing Event on August 14-17, 2008, at Lake Murray and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Mr. Frampton presented Monica Linnenbrink with an “On The Spot” award for her efforts with this event.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended agency staff for their hard work and assistance during the 1st Annual Harry Hampton Hunting and Fishing Expo at the Spartanburg Expo Center on August 20-24, 2008.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   

   Marine
   Mr. Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on Thursday, September 11, 2008, in Charleston. The Committee received presentations on A Review of Blue Crab Special Committee efforts and draft legislation, Cobia Research, and a Review of Issues Related to “Deep Holing” for Shrimp. The Committee received an update on the Federal Registry Process. The Committee passed a motion to send the Limited Entry for Blue Crab proposed legislation to the DNR Board with the caveat that it may be modified by staff as comments are provided by members of the blue crab harvesting industry. The Committee also passed a motion to affirm the draft legislation to modify the saltwater recreational license to include shore-based anglers and to include the requirement to have a recreational license to harvest shrimp and blue crab, with certain exemptions.
   

9. Items for Board Information
1. Drought Update
   Hope Mizzell reported that the State Drought Committee met September 16, 2008. Dr. Mizzell reported that nine upstate counties were downgraded from extreme drought to severe drought and eleven counties were downgraded to normal. Dr. Mizzell reviewed streamflows, lake levels, and groundwater monitoring wells around the state.
2. Bonds and Permanent Improvements
   Kevin Kibler distributed and reviewed the FY 2008-09 Capital Budget Discussion document. Mr. Kibler outlined the appropriation of the Capital Reserve Fund and the allowed expenditures. Mr. Kibler also reviewed the Supplemental Funds and the Capital Improvement Bond Authorizations.
3. 2009 Legislative Proposal
   Derrick Meggie distributed the draft 2009 legislative proposal for the Board to review. Chairman McShane noted that action will not be taken on this proposal; it is provided as information and changes will be made before it is considered for action. Mr. Meggie then briefly reviewed the proposal as currently written.
10. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board an update on the budget.
    
    Mr. Frampton discussed the SCE&G issue of a barrier across the lower Saluda River and distributed a draft letter for Board members to review. The Board agreed the letter should be sent with some minor changes.
11. Deputy Directors Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Breck Carmichael distributed and reviewed the results of opening day of dove season on DNR public fields. Mr. Carmichael reminded the Board that the National Hunting and Fishing Day event will be held October 4, 2008, at Cohen Fish Hatchery. Mr. Carmichael announced that Ken Prosser has accepted the position of Assistant Deputy Director for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Alvin Taylor distributed an updated Law Enforcement Region map and list of supervisor cell phone numbers.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins distributed the updated budget document that was submitted to the Budget Office.
       
    4. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Steve de Kozlowski reported on the results of the Geological Survey’s Statemap Meeting help on September 4, 2008. Mr. de Kozlowski reminded the Board that Beach Sweep/River Sweep is September 20, 2008.

    Chairman McShane asked Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, CCA, if he had any comments. Mr. Whitaker commented on offshore fishery issues.

12. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal, and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
13. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board reappoint Terry LeCroy and Knox Haynsworth to the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board reappoint Byron Bailey and Carl DiPace and to appoint Robert Johnson to the Marine Advisory Committee. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board reappoint William Hoole and John Gramling to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve a power line easement to SCE&G for an underground line at Botany Bay. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
14. Time and Location of the Next Two Meetings
    The October Board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008, at Table Rock State Park.
    
    The November Board meeting will be held Thursday, November 20, 2008, in Columbia.
15. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.