The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 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 Mike McShane presided at the meeting. Board members present included Stephen Davis, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. Board members Michael Campbell and John Evans’ absences were excused. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike 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.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Buford Mabry, Chief Counsel, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Senator Ronnie Cromer; Jeff Little, Governor’s Office; Faye Stoudemire, Gerald Stoudemire, Deborah Drafts, Beverly Bedenbaugh, and Herb Lanford, NRA Members; Scott Whitaker, CCA; and Douglas Ford, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Winslow informed the Board that there were no constituent comment requests.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the August 13, 2009, meeting minutes. Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 13, 2009, meeting, as submitted. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations
   Mr. Herb Lanford, Mr. Gerald Stoudemire, Ms. Faye Stoudemire, Ms. Deborah Drafts and Ms. Beverly Bedenbaugh presented the Department with a mock $75,000 check representing the grant award for public shooting ranges.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   Marine
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on September 11 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received reports on the conclusions of their planning workshop held in the spring and the flounder survey. The Advisory Committee also received an overview on agency Environmental Programs.
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reported that due to the rain event during the previous eight days, Oconee and Pickens counties have been dropped from the drought declaration. Dr. Mizzell reviewed precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.She also provided a tropical systems update.
   2. License Changes
      Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, distributed and reviewed alternatives for hunter education, with regard to licenses. Ms. Collins stated that 21 states were surveyed, of which 13 have some type of option to the hunter education requirement. Ms. Collins also noted that only two of the 21 surveyed states have a multi-year license.
   3. Wood Duck Box Program
      Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that there are approximately 148 units in stock. They have received approximately 100 applications requesting 600 boxes. These will be distributed on a first come first served basis. They may also reduce the number sent to those requesting multiple boxes. Mr. Carmichael reported that staff are working with partners in an effort to improve the funding level.
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Crosby’s Oxypolis, Little Pee Dee State Park Bay, Segars-McKinnon and Woods Bay Heritage Preserve Management Plans
       Mr. Carmichael reviewed the Crosby’s Oxypolis, Little Pee Dee State Park Bay, Segars-McKinnon and Woods Bay Heritage Preserve Management Plans as included in the Board meeting package. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the Crosby’s Oxypolis, Little Pee Dee State Park Bay, Segars-McKinnon and Woods Bay Heritage Preserve Management Plans as presented. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. SCE&G Easement Request – Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve
       Mr. Carmichael reviewed the easement request as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the SCE&G Easement Request – Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
11. Director’s Briefing
    Mr. Frampton gave the Board a budget update and noted that there is a likelihood of another cut in January or February. Mr. Frampton also distributed and reviewed other budgetary information from the federal level.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed and discussed photographs of Lake Paul Wallace taken when he, Derrick Meggie and Ross Self visited the site on September 4 and met with Representative Doug Jennings and local officials to discuss the lake.
    
    Mr. Frampton distributed and discussed the Jocassee property settlement proposal for approximately 1.3 acres. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board accept the settlement proposal as presented. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Frampton informed the Board that Lt. Jim Wagers, Law Enforcement Education, has retired and Lt. Billy Downer was selected to fill the position. Mr. Frampton met with Col. Taylor and Lt. Downer to discuss the Hunter/Boater Education and Take One Make One Programs on August 24.
    
    Mr. Frampton informed the Board that there have been some issues with the allowance of shell collection at Botany Bay Plantation WMA. It is the intent to allow youth (17 years of age and younger) to collect one quart of shells per day, but adults are taking advantage of this privilege. Mr. Frampton made a proposal that the regulations be changed to include the restriction on all sea shell gathering on Botany Bay WMA. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the change in regulations to include the restriction on all sea shell gathering on Botany Bay WMA. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried.
    
    Mr. Frampton attended the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Awards Reception at the Governor’s Mansion on September 20.
    
    Mr. Frampton met with Lorrie Kings, Governor’s Office, on September 22 to discuss gubernatorial appointments on the Department’s Advisory Boards and Committees.
12. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that most of the 2010 proposed legislation will be presented at the October DNR Board meeting. Mr. Meggie noted that the Chapter 13 legislation probably will not be ready until November.
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, introduced Greg Mixon and Vivianne Vejdani, who work in the Environmental Programs area. Mr. Perry distributed and reviewed a summary of environmental issues. The issues outlined were: 1) Notification from the Corps of Engineers that the permitting process for the proposed Pee Dee Electric Generation Station has been suspended; 2) The Woodruff-Roebuck proposed reservoir, which included a copy of a letter from the Corps of Engineers advising the applicant and its agents that an EIS must be performed for the proposed project to move forward; 3) Comment letters have been filed with DHEC pursuant to public notices to streamline the Navigable Waters Regulations; 4) Correspondence with FERC supporting a 2’ trigger for the Low Inflow Protocol for the Saluda Hydroelectric Project; 5) DHEC’s issuance of a TMDL for the lower Santee River, in the vicinity of Santee Coastal Reserve; and 6) Duke Energy filed an appeal to the Administrative Law Court on the Catawba-Wateree Project 401 decision rendered by the DHEC Board.
    
    Ross Self, Chief of Fisheries, gave the Board a brief report on the issues associated with the Schlumberger Settlement agreement.
14. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles informed the Board, as a follow up on an issue with the Governor’s Cup, that staff are comfortable with making the call for small craft advisory with the 6:00 am weather report. Mr. Boyles also reported that the Coastal Training Program is now approved as an accredited provider by the Planning Education Advisory Committee.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Ms. Collins informed the Board that the duck stamp print exhibit is located in the lobby of the second floor, State House side.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Nothing further to report.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, informed the Board that the Division has been reorganized by moving the Flood Mitigation program into the Hydrology Section. Mr. Rentiers also reported that South Carolina was recently selected by the Department of Energy to be one of their sites for their Carbon Dioxide sequestration studies.
15. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Davis made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal matters and personnel issues. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The October Board meeting will be held Thursday, October 15, 2009, at Duke Energy’s Lee Steam Station in Anderson County.
    
    The November Board meeting will be held Friday, November 13, 2009, in Marion County.
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.