The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, September 26, 2013, 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 John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Glenn McFadden, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Board member Randy Lowe’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 John Evans called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Ron Kenyon, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Larry Yonce led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Reed Bull, Midlands Striper Club; Donnie Christopher, Midlands Striper Club; Richy Brensinger, Midlands Striper Club; Shawn Gearheart, Midlands Striper Club; Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy; Merrill McGregor, SC Coastal Conservation League; Michael Lee, SC Association of Realtors; Benten Wislinkski, SC Wildlife Federation; and Bonnie Loomus, The Palladian Group.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael noted that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the August 15, 2013, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 15, 2013, meeting as submitted. Mike Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Richy Brensinger, President, Midlands Striper Club; Donnie Christopher, PAC Committee Chairman; Reed Bull and Shawn Gearheart presented $7,500, on behalf of the Midlands Striper Club, for an oxygen generator for the Bayless Fish Hatchery.
   
   Director Taylor commended Lt. Billy Downer and staff for coordinating the grand opening of the Spartanburg James O. Thomason Rifle Range on September 3.
   
   Director Taylor commended Greg Lucas, Tom Swayngham and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff for coordinating the memorial service on September 16, for four servicemen who lost their lives on November 11, 1950 when their aircraft crashed into Bully Mountain.
   
   Director Taylor asked Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, to present the Meritorious Service Award to three nominated employees. Mr. Boyles presented the award to David Whitaker, Marine Resources Division; Kevin Kibler, Executive Office; and Charlie Burnsed, Marine Resources Division, for their efforts in overseeing the planning, development, architect/engineer/contractor selection, and construction for major capital projects at the Marine Resources Center.
   
8. Executive Session
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual matters. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
9. Open Session
   Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
10. Advisory Committee Reports
    Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
    Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met August 29 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a report on the wrap up of the 25th season and affirmed the final standings. The Advisory Committee reviewed the revenue report, tournament schedule and upcoming appointments and reappointments.
    
11. Item for Board Information
    Climate Update
    Mark Malsick, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
    
12. Items for Board Action
    Approval of Lake Hartwell Habitat
    Enhancement Ross Self, Chief of Fisheries, briefly reviewed the proposed expenditures for the Lake Hartwell Habitat Enhancement as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the proposed Lake Hartwell Habitat Enhancement as presented. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition near Forty Acre Rock in Lancaster County. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
13. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor met with State Forester Gene Kodama at Manchester State Forest about other firing range opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with Girl Scout staff to discuss the Richmond Plantation project.
    
    Director Taylor met with staff of the National Wild Turkey Federation to discuss plans for a hunting heritage event and shooting sports facility at the site and discuss future partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with SC DHEC Director Catherine Templeton to discuss water issues in SC.
    
    Director Taylor attended the Joint SC/GA Savannah River Caucus meeting and Water Summit at Lake Hartwell which was followed by the Savannah River Basin Comprehensive Study signing ceremony.
14. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, distributed and briefly reviewed the 2014 DNR Legislative Proposal.
15. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: I-73 and the Haile Gold Mine project.
16. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Law Enforcement
       MAJ Mark Carey reported that 19 officers have graduated the academy and 23 are now in the eight week wildlife basic training. The hiring process has begun for an additional 18-20 officers.
    2. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles reported that the commercial shrimp season will open next week; the recreational shrimp season opened September 13; and shellfish season opens October 1. Mr. Boyles also reported on the Federal snapper-grouper management plan pertaining to black sea bass.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, reported that there have been 1,270,661 downloads of the 2013-14 Rules and Regulations publication. Mr. Winslow informed the Board that license sales will be shut down from 11:00 pm, October 19 until 9:00 am, October 21, to upgrade the computer system.
    4. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, gave the Board an update on the Savannah River Basin Study. Mr. Rentiers informed the board that funding came through for the water assessment plan. Mr. Rentiers distributed and briefly reviewed the Heritage Trust Revenue report.
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, informed the Board that Tim Ivey was the 2013 recipient of The SC Chapter of the Wildlife Society's Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Cope gave the Board a brief update on draw hunts.
17. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The time and location of the next meeting will be determined at a later date.
    
18. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for September 26, 2013 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.