The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2007, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335, 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 Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam, and Caroline Rhodes. 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 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Hank Stallworth introduced Jeff Clark, Chair, Kershaw Conservation District; Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, CCA; Charles Farmer, CCA; Caroline Pinckney, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry; Justin Evans, Governor’s Office; and Representative Michael Pitts.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Stallworth noted 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 24, 2007, meeting. There being none, Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the August 24, 2007, meeting as presented. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton introduced Jim Goller, James Cassell, Danny Young, Reed Bull and Cam Littlejohn of the Midlands Striper Club and Ronnie Sims and Gerald Smith of the Greenville Striper Kings. These groups presented a check for $12,000 for funding electro fishing equipment to assist in gathering brood stripes for DNR hatchery efforts.
   
   Chairman McShane introduced Ben Gregg, Executive Director, SC Wildlife Federation. Mr. Gregg gave the Board an update on the activities of the Camo Coalition. Mr. Gregg stated that the Camo Coalition is focusing on three areas 1) habitat protection, 2) youth education or lack thereof, and 3) legislative effectiveness. The Coalition has had four meetings and are developing a charter.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
1. Marine
   Mr. Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on September 6 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received presentations on cobia biology and research activities, cobia management issues, a summary of recreational and commercial license trends, artificial reef economic impacts, and the 2006 shrimp baiting season.
2. Heritage Trust
   Dr. Barry Beasley reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board held a special called meeting on September 10 in Columbia. The purpose of this meeting was to consider the compensation package for the impact of I-73 on the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. The package allows for a 10:1 ratio for impacts on approximately 33 acres, at a rate of $2,500 per acre. These funds will be utilized for replacement of habitat. The Advisory Board voted unanimously to accept this compensation and recommend its acceptance by the DNR Board. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation of the Heritage Trust Advisory Board. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Feeding of Quail and Turkey Hunting
      Breck Carmichael distributed and reviewed the results of a survey related to baiting for turkey. This study included the legality of hunting turkey on or in the vicinity of recently planted crops or where standing crops have been manipulated. The survey also addressed the issue of the legality of hunting turkey as it relates to supplemental feed for quail. Of the 37 states that responded to the survey, 32 states prohibit hunting turkey over bait and four of these states have a “distance from bait” to be legal. Mr. Carmichael noted that South Carolina has the strictest law regarding turkey hunting. Staff believe that these laws can be relaxed somewhat. The Board requested that Mr. Carmichael and Col. Taylor prepare draft legislation for the October meeting. Col. Taylor reviewed Georgia and Florida’s laws regarding the distance to hunt turkey from supplemental feeding of quail.
   2. Draft Boating Bills
      Buford Mabry reviewed the two draft bills as included in the Board package. Chairman McShane asked the Board to read through these bills and offer any changes to Mr. Mabry. The Board directed Mr. Frampton work with Mr. Mabry to make the grammatical corrections to this version, speak with law enforcement, boat dealers, and the boating public in general, to gauge support for this bill.
   3. Identifier Information on Outboard Motors
      Sammie Haithcock informed the Board that previously the manufacture date was used to title outboard motors. Recently, however, some manufacturers have changed from manufacture date to program year, so the titles have changed to that date. After much discussion and questions, the Board requested that Mrs. Haithcock and Mr. Mabry work together to find which is best to include in the titling boating bill legislation.
   4. Draft 2008 Legislative Package
      Derrick Meggie distributed and reviewed the proposed legislative list which included legislation that did not pass in 2007 (Game Zone Consolidation Conforming Bill, Alligator Control Program, Repeals Bill, and Electronic Endorsement Duck Stamp) and new legislation or 2008 (Boating – Titling, Boating – Law Enforcement, Road Safety, Summons Authority, Buck Limits, and Constitutional Right to Hunt).
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Management Plan Revisions for James L. Mason WMA
       Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the Management Plan Revisions for James L. Mason WMA be approved as submitted to the Board. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. DNR McConnells Tract Management Plan
       Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the DNR McConnells Tract Management Plan as submitted. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
11. Director's Briefing
    Mr. Frampton reported that he will attend the Striped Bass Stakeholders Workshop Group meeting on October 3.
    
12. Legislative Report
    Mr. Meggie distributed copies of the 2006-2007 Accountability Report and Reporting Guidelines.
13. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins gave an update on the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic. Ms. Collins reported that they are currently working on a contract for housing the Duck Stamp Original Artwork with the State Museum.
    2. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles briefed the Board on the Federal requirements for saltwater recreational anglers registry and the need to license shore-based anglers. Mr. Boyles reported on the channel netting and shrimp baiting season opening. Mr. Boyles stated that the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is reviewing overfishing for Vermillion Snapper and potential remedies. Mr. Boyles distributed and reviewed the September 26 Duval and Nassau Counties, FL, Fish Kill/Red Tide Summary.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Steve de Kozlowski stated that South Carolina hosted the recent National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in Charleston. Mr. de Kozlowski reported on this year’s Beach Sweep/River Sweep. Mr. de Kozlowski gave the Board an update on the drought and tropical weather.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael distributed the 2007-08 Migratory Bird Hunting Brochure and the SC Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting Guide. Mr. Carmichael distributed and briefly discussed the results of opening day dove season on WMA fields.
    5. Law Enforcement
       Col. Taylor gave the Board an update on shack boats, stating that 89 permit applications have been received and over 50 have been examined. Col. Taylor reported that the new officers will begin orientation next week.
       
       Representative Pitts commented that his priority bill will be the Constitutional Right to Hunt and also shared his concerns about boating access. Representative Pitts stated that he would be a sponsor for summons authority and the electronic endorsement duck stamp.
       
14. Executive Session
    At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal, and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Return to Regular Session
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board return to regular session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the acquisition of 361 acres adjoining Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board give preliminary approval to acquire 94 acres in Green County adjoining Ashmore Heritage Preserve and Chandler Heritage Preserve and Wildcat Wayside State Park.
    
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board affirms that neither the Board nor Advisory Committee Members will voluntarily become involved in a criminal case either collectively or individually. If contacted by anyone about a criminal case the Board Member or Advisory Committee Member will refer the inquiry to the Director or his designee. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The October Board meeting will be held on Friday, October 19, in Columbia.
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.