The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, September 23, 2005, in room 335 of Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina. 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 and John Evans, and Frank Murray. Board member Karen Floyd was present by telephone. Board member Smith Ragsdale’s absence was 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 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Ron Kenyon to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Cary Chamblee informed the Board that there were no guests present.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Chamblee reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the August 19, 2005 meeting. There being none, Mr. Evans made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 19, 2005 meeting as presented. Ms. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton introduced Ted Ellefson, Kirk Carter, Sammy Dubose and Joey Coble with the Greenville Saltwater Fishing Club. Mr. Coble presented the non-law enforcement dependent scholarship to Shelby Cooke, her father, Doug Cooke accepted in her absence. Mr. Ellefson presented the law enforcement dependent scholarship to Paul Haile, Captain Harvin Brock accepted in the absence of Paul Haile and his father Tommy Haile.
   
   Carole Collins commended the South Carolina Wildlife staff upon receipt of Third Place in the Photography Category for “Rising Hope”, by the Association for Conservation Information and noted that Michael Foster was the photographer.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Breck Carmichael reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on August 25. The Advisory Committee reviewed legislative items; received updates from the Marketing Committee, FERC activities, and the State Lakes Maintenance Program. The Advisory Committee also received information on deer harvest strategy and the possibility of holding more public meetings on this issue. The Advisory Committee was reminded that National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, September 24.
   2. Marine
      Mr. Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on September 9.
      The Advisory Committee received a status report on flounder and discussed possible legislation and the Advisory Committee’s recommendation. Mr. Evans noted that at this time the Committee is not ready to make a recommendation. Advisory Committee Member Holder made a motion requesting that DNR conduct a detailed survey of the flounder fishery, in a timely manner, in order to make potential recommendations for changes to size and creel limits. This motion was unanimously passed. Mr. Evans stated that there was a presentation on the proposed endangered species designation for the Eastern Oyster. The Advisory Committee received an update on inshore artificial reefs. Robert Boyles made a presentation on the ASMFC’s weakfish plan.
9. Items for Board Information
1. Shellfish Update
   Dale Theiling presented the shellfish management update which included a review of the 2005 House Resolution; the management categories; the commercial fisheries; the goals of the shellfish workgroup; the composition of the workgroup, highlights of the first meeting; topics for the October 11 meeting; and topics and issues for future meetings.
2. Facilities Atlas
   Ms. Collins gave the Board a brief background on the previous edition of the facilities atlas and noted its success. Ms. Collins reported that Law enforcement has received a grant through Homeland Security that can pay for these publications, one publication will be for Law Enforcement Use Only and the other will be sold through the Wildlife Shop for public use. Major John Watford noted that this project should be printed and distributed by June 30, 2006.
3. Hurricane Katrina Assistance
   Chairman McShane recognized Captain Harvin Brock, who safely led the team of officers to Louisiana and back. Mr. Frampton reviewed assistance requested by Louisiana, the entities involved in deployment of SC DNR officers and the assistance provided by SC DNR. Chairman McShane acknowledged the support of all DNR staff for this deployment and return, including DHEC staff that provided vaccinations and medical debriefing and Rev. Eric Skidmore and Rev. Ron Kenyon. At this time Glenn Gardner showed a video containing footage of this effort. Mr. Frampton noted that the thirty-eight officers and their spouse will be invited to the October Board meeting and luncheon will be held afterward. Chairman McShane suggested that the officers review what equipment is necessary to perform this type of duty and also to let him know what individuals or entities they would like the Board to thank. At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion that a resolution be drafted, on behalf of the Board, recognizing all of DNR, specifically Law Enforcement, for Hurricane Katrina Relief. Ms. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

10. Items for Board Action
    Little Saluda River Fish Kill Investigation
    Hal Beard reviewed the Little Saluda River Fish Kill Report, as submitted to the Board in their meeting package. The total cost of the kill, including the investigation activities and personnel is $3,135.84. There being no objections to this report it was accepted as presented.
11. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton noted that the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan is complete.

    Mr. Frampton announced that the DNR/Corps of Engineers Palachucola/Donnelley Land Transfer ceremony will be held on October 3 at 11:00 a.m. in Columbia.

    Mr. Chamblee distributed and reviewed the status report of the Centennial Celebration Committee. Mr. Frampton noted that Southeastern Wildlife Expo will highlight both the Duck Stamp Anniversary and the Centennial Celebration.

    Legislative
    Derrick Meggie reported that there were five pieces of legislation left from last year and there will be five new pieces this year. The 2006 proposed legislative package will be ready for the October Board meeting.

12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Law Enforcement
   Col. Alvin Taylor gave the Board an update on the hiring process. Col. Taylor then reported on shrimp baiting and noted that participation numbers are down. Col. Taylor also briefed the Board on Hurricane Ophelia deployment.
2. Outreach and Support Services
   Ms. Collins gave the Board an update on the license promotion and noted that sales are up 25%. She further explained that this is probably due to rapid collection of revenue as provided by Point Of Sale. Ms. Collins also announced that Billy McTeer is retiring and the process for replacement is in place.
3. Marine
   Mr. Boyles also reported on shrimp baiting season. Mr. Boyles announced that shellfish season opened last week. Mr. Boyles noted that there have been some staffing changes at the Marine Resources Division. Mr. Boyles gave the Board an update on red drum stocking.
4. Land, Water and Conservation
   Freddy Vang gave the Board an update on weather conditions, specifically tropical systems and drought conditions. Mr. Vang informed the Board of some of the uses for map products produced by Geological Survey. Mr. Vang noted that the South Carolina and Georgia Committees of the Savannah Basin Team met in Savannah on September 19. Mr. Vang reported that there were 7,000 participants in this year’s Beach Sweep/River Sweep.
5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Breck Carmichael distributed the Santee Coastal Reserve Peer Review and the Freshwater Fisheries Priority Planning Progress Report. Tim Ivey distributed and reviewed the opening day Public Dove Field results.
13. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Evans 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.
14. Return to Regular Session
    The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
    
    There were no items discussed in Executive Session that required Board action.
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The September Board meeting will be held on Friday, October 21, in Columbia.
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.