The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, August 27, 2014, 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 Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Elizabeth Willis and Larry Yonce. Board member Cary Chastain's absence was excused. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Elizabeth Willis led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guest: Joey Holleman, The State.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that no requests were received for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the August 27, 2014, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 27, 2014, meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor recognized the 2013 DNR Employee of the Year and Division Nominees: Executive: Greg Mixon; Land, Water & Conservation: Dr. Kerry McCarney-Castle; Law Enforcement: Megan Metts; Marine Resources: Erin Levesque; Outreach & Support Services: Deborah Green; and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries: Lane Hite, who was also the overall 2013 DNR Employee of the Year. The Department and Division Employees of the Year were honored at an appreciation luncheon on September 12 at Cook's Mountain.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   
   1. Land, Water and Conservation
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met September 2 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received program updates and approved conservation district commissioner reappointments and appointments.
   2. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met September 4 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a recap of the 2014 Series. The Advisory Committee reviewed trends and participation in the Series and discussed the proposed 2015 tournament schedule. The Advisory Committee received an update on the Memorial Reef Project. The Awards Ceremony will be held October 17 at Islands House, Johns Island. The Advisory Committee approved the 2014 Series award winners.
9. Item for Board Information
   Climate Update
   Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with a drought update and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
10. Items for Board Action
    Proposed FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget
    Mr. Rentiers reviewed the proposed FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget as included in the Board meeting package. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the FY 2016 Heritage Trust Budget as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor informed the Board that there will be a significant increase in Pittman-Robertson funds for the Wildlife Section and Hunter Safety for this FY 15.
    
    Director Taylor reported that he and staff have been working on the budget and meeting with key legislators.
    
    Director Taylor and deputy directors had an information session for Mrs. Willis at the Marine Center on September 5.
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that the House will be reorganizing and the Department is awaiting prefile dates.
13. Environmental Report
    No further report.
14. Deputy Directors' Reports
    
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Nothing further to report.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that there will be a pond reopening ceremony held at Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery on September 29.
    4. Law Enforcement
       COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board an update on the hiring process.
    5. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles reported on the shrimp season outlook and the cost savings realized this year from the infrastructure improvements at the Marine Center.
15. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the following conservation district reappointments, as recommended by their respective conservation district and the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee: Fred Raines, Abbeville; Diane O. Bosler, Allendale; Alan A. Ulmer, Beaufort; Claude E. McLeod, Beaufort; Allen L. Beer, Chester; William D. Harrington, Clarendon; Neal Rogers, Dillon; Douglas A. Reeves, Dorchester; Joe A. Derrick, Edgefield; Sabie D. Cathcart, Fairfield; Benjamin H. Hardee, Horry; William M. Ardrey, Lancaster; John A. Wiggins, Marion; and James F. Shealy, Newberry. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the board approve the following conservation district appointment, as recommended by the conservation district and the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee: Julie M. Davis, McCormick. Mr. Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the appointment of Martha Flowers Herbert to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The October 2014 meeting will be held Tuesday, October 14 in Columbia.
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.