SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Cary Chastain called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Norman Pulliam led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Dr. Tommy Floyd, Vice President and General Manager of National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

Mr. Carmichael reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.

Chairman Chastain asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the July 20, 2016, meeting minutes. Mike Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the July 20, 2016 meeting as submitted. Larry Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Floyd presented Director Taylor with a plaque and expressed his appreciation for the agency's efforts while hosting the NASP World Tournament in Myrtle Beach. Dr. Floyd stated that the SCDNR has been just wonderful to work with and we could not have done this tournament without the support of the agency and of the South Carolina program's volunteer network.

Director Taylor commended Emily Cope and staff who worked on the Liberty Hill acquisition and dedication of the Austin Sheheen Sr. Natural Resources Area held at the Liberty Hill Wildlife Management Area on August 8 with Senators Vincent Sheheen and Greg Gregory and others in attendance.

Director Taylor congratulated to South Carolina Wildlife staff upon their receipt of a Third Place award for Video Short for their SC Wildlife Magazine Promo 2015 from the Association for Conservation Information at their annual conference.

Larry Yonce congratulated Hope Mizzell for her selection as President of the American Association of State Climatologists (AASC).

1. Migratory Waterfowl
   Chairman Chastain reported that Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met August 3 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee elected Mr. Milton Brazell to remain as Chairman and Mr. Joe Johnson to remain as Vice Chairman. Chairman Chastain noted that the Advisory Committee will be presented with artwork that has been submitted at their November meeting.
2. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met August 4 in West Columbia. The Advisory Committee received an archeological update and approved the amended FY 17 budget and the proposed FY 18 budget.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mike Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met August 9 in West Columbia. The Advisory Committee received presentations on waterbird surveys and proposed changes to the diadromous fish legislation. The Advisory Committee approved the Wateree Heritage Preserve Wildlife Management Plan as presented.
4. Law Enforcement
   Norman Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met August 23 and 24 at Lake Jocassee. The Advisory Committee toured Lake Jocassee and received a presentation on Region 1 activities.
5. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met September 8 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received the results of the 2016 season. The Advisory Committee approved the standing for the 2016 season and the 2017 schedule. Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the awards ceremony will be held on September 30 at the Island House.
6. Marine
   Elizabeth Willis reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met September 9 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received updates on the blue crab fishery, the status and trends in Red Drum populations and implications for management of red drum.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, gave the Board a brief update on activity in the tropics and noted that eight upstate counties have reached moderate drought stage. Dr. Mizzell reported on rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Director Taylor and deputy directors met with staff of the Office of Media and Outreach during their annual staff meeting on August 30 at the Webb Center.

Director Taylor represented DNR at the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting on September 8 about the summer harvest of oysters.

Director Taylor represented DNR at the Governor's Office Budget Meeting on September 13 and presented DNR's budget needs.

Director Taylor informed the Board that the Twin Ponds Rifle Range Grand Opening, is scheduled for Friday, October 21, at 10:00 a.m. at 7492 Willow Hall Road, Awendaw.

CPT Mike Sabaka briefly informed the Board of items that will likely be included in the agency's legislative package: the requirement that non-consumptive users wear international orange during deer season, on public lands; codification of deer depredation permit requirements; hunting and fishing points law; red drum; and hunting and fishing license fee increase. CPT Sabaka also mentioned items that are of interest to the General Assembly: prohibiting hunting from a watercraft adjacent to property on which you don't have permission to hunt; increasing the no wake zone; mandatory boating education requirement; dog hunting deer; and flounder legislation and limits.

Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, briefly reviewed the I-73 project and the Horry County Public Works (International Drive) project.

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, informed the Board that 419 people attended the Wateree River Heritage Preserve/WMA Field Day.
4. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, informed the Board that Jim Shelton was awarded the Southern Region Boater Educator of the Year. COL Frampton also informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Division was awarded the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Law Enforcement Public Outreach Award.
5. Marine Resources
   Mr. Boyles reported on the recent manatee strandings. Mr. Boyles gave the Board a brief update on shrimp and blue crabs.

1. Approval for Transferring Bobcat Landing to Bamberg County
   Mr. Yonce made a motion that DNR permanently transfer fee title for Bobcat Landing to Bamberg County at the sum of zero dollars. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Murrells Inlet Boat Landing Transfer to Georgetown County
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that DNR permanently transfer fee title for Murrells Inlet Landing facility to Georgetown County at the sum of zero dollars. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Ft. Frederick Heritage Preserve – Beaufort County: Management Plan approval, Acccess Easement acceptance, Lease and Management Agreement approval, and License Agreement approval
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the updated Ft. Frederick Heritage Preserve management plan, accept the Access Easement from Beaufort County, and execute the Lease and Management Agreement and License Agreement.
4. Approval of the Amended FY 17 Heritage Trust Budgets
   Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the amended FY 17 Heritage Trust budgets as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Approval of FY 18 Heritage Trust Budgets
   Mrs. Willis made a motion that the Board approve the FY 18 Heritage Trust budgets as presented. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
6. Haile Trust Fund Budget
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the expenditure of $362,000 from the Mitigation Trust Fund of South Carolina, Haile Gold Mine Mitigation Maintenance and Management Endowment for management of the Rainbow Ranch, Cooks Mountain and Goodwill Plantation Tracts. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Yonce made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue proposed contractual arrangement related to purchase of property and a Marine Advisory Committee appointment. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.