Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, SC

Friday, October 10, 2003

9:30 a.m.

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, October 10, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina.  Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media.  Chairman McShane presided at the meeting.  Board members present included Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis and Smith Ragsdale.  Board Members absent were Dr. Joab Lesesne, Jr., D. Malloy McEachin, Jr., and Dr. Douglas Rucker.  Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

I.  Call to Order

           Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

II.  Meditation

Chairman McShane asked Maj. Van McCarty to offer an invocation. 

 

III.  Introduction of Guests

        Mr. Chamblee introduced Noel Hurley, USGS; and Joey Holleman, The State newspaper.

 

IV. Approval of Minutes

        Mr. McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the September 19, 2003 meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 19, 2003, meeting as submitted.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

V.  Presentations/Commendations

Mr. Frampton introduced Larry Huckabee, Ducks Unlimited State Chairman, and noted that Mr. Huckabee will make a presentation to the Department on behalf of DU.  Mr. Huckabee presented the Department with a 2003 SC State Sponsor Print.

 

Mr. Frampton announced that Robert Boyles has been selected to serve as the Deputy Director of the Marine Resources Division.

 

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that staff assignments have been made to better coordinate the regional offices.  Billy McTeer announced the following staff have been selected to serve as Wildlife Regional Coordinators:  Region 1, Tom Swayngham; Region 2, Sam Stokes, Jr.; Region 3, Buddy Baker; and Region 4, Sam Chappalear.  Mr. McTeer announced the following staff have been selected to serve as Fisheries Regional Coordinators:  Region 1, Dan Rankin; Region 2, Dan Crochet; Region 3, Wade Bales; and Region 4, Ross Self (will also continue serving as Assistant Chief).  Col. Alvin Wright announced the following staff have been selected to serve as Regional Captains:  Region 1, Larry Holbrooks; Region 2, Bill Frazier; Region 3, Harvin Brock; and Region 4, Glenn Ward.  Freddy Vang announced the following staff have been selected to serve as LWC Regional Coordinators:  Region 1, Leslie Morgan; Region 2, John Alford; Region 3, Steve DeKozlowski; and Region 4, Drennan Park.

 

  VI. Advisory Committee Reports

Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

The Advisory Committee received an update and presentation on Jocassee Gorges, an update on the public meetings regarding deer; and an update on reorganization.  The Advisory Committee then toured the Walhalla Fish Hatchery and attended the building dedication in honor of Randy Geddings.

 

VII.  Items for Board Action

      Workplace Violence Policy

Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Board accept the Workplace Violence Policy as modified.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

VIII. Director’s Briefings

Mr. Frampton spoke to the Lexington County Chapter of the SC Wildlife Federation on September 22.

 

Mr. Frampton attended the meeting of the Board of Directors of the SC wildlife Federation on September 23.

 

The Department hosted the September 24^th meeting of the Public Safety Directors.  This meeting was attended by SLED, DPS, Corrections, DJJ, Probation, Pardon, and Parole and DNR.

 

Mr. Frampton spoke at a meeting of the SC Outdoor Press Association on September 28.

 

Mr. Frampton attended the September 30^th meeting of the Budget and Control Board along with Chairman McShane, Vice Chairman Campbell and Mr. Ragsdale.

 

Mr. Frampton met with Frank Fusco and Sheila Breitweiser on October 1 for a briefing on the Agency Directors Organization.

 

Mr. Frampton participated in a meeting of the Governor’s Quality of Life Task Force on October 2.

 

Mr. Frampton met with Chief Stewart and Mark Keel on DNR/SLED aircraft on October 2.

 

Mr. Frampton met with the Laurens County Legislative Delegation on October 8.

 

Mr. Frampton will represent SC DNR at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies meeting in Mobile Alabama, on October 11-15.

 

Mr. Frampton will be attending the Forest Legacy Coordinators’ meeting to be held on October 20-22, in Sacramento, CA.

 

Mr. Frampton will participate in a meeting of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Aid Policy Task Force in Madison, WI, on October 23-24.

 

Legislative Report

Derrick Meggie reported that a legislative agenda will be presented at the November meeting for the Board’s consideration.

 

Habitat Task Force

            No report.

 

IX.  Deputy Directors’ Reports

            1. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang informed the Board that there will be a dedication of the Blue Heron Learning Center, near Walterboro.  Mr. Vang distributed copies of the Conservation District Directory to the Board.  Mr. Vang reported that the Water Law Review Committee met and they are preparing positions on three major issues:  1) water law inside the state, 2) relationship with North Carolina, and 3) possible creation of an Interstate Compact with the State of Georgia. 

 

            2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Billy McTeer distributed copies of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting minutes to the Board.  Mr. McTeer reported on the Public Dove Field Program.  Mr. McTeer shared with the Board that the Department has received positive publicity from the Jocassee Gorges Forest Management Plan. 

 

            3. Law Enforcement

Col. Wright reviewed the monthly activities of the Law Enforcement Division.  Col. Wright reported that so far this year there have been 30 boating fatalities.  Col. Wright reminded the Board that the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year luncheon will be held on November 21.

 

            4. Administrative Services and Conservation Education and Communication

Carole Collins reported that the official merger of the Administrative Services and Conservation Education and Communication Division will take one year, through the budget process.  Ms. Collins stated that the name for the division will be Outreach and Support Services.  Ms. Collins noted that license sales are up $129,000+ over last year.  Ms. Collins informed the Board that the first SC Wildlife Show will be on ETV Saturday, November 8, at 6:00 pm.  The hosts of this show will be Jean Leitner, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, and Chad Hayes, Marine Division.

 

            5. Marine

Robert Boyles reported that a series of public hearings on October 14, 15 and 16, with the commercial crabbing community, regarding the concept of developing a limited entry fishery.  Mr. Boyles announced that the ACE Basin NERR will be hosting the National NERR Workshop on October 25-30.  Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the Marine Advisory Committee will be holding their meeting on November 7, in Charleston.  Mr. Boyles reported that the Marine Resources Division was awarded a grant from NOAA for Wetland Restoration Impoundment Work.  

 

            Mr. Chamblee introduced Caroline Pinckney, Research Director for the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. 

 

   X.  Executive Session

            At this time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  XI.  Return to Regular Session

            The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

 

Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that the Department acquire an interest in the 98.54 acre Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve in Charleston County.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Davis made a motion that the Department accept the donation of additional lands for the Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve in Greenville County and the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve in Greenville County and to authorize appropriate acquisition costs.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Department pursue acquisition of a 155 acre addition to the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve in Lexington County.  The Department will order an independent appraisal and will not pay more than The Nature Conservancy paid for the project.  The acquisition is subject to the approval of the Heritage Trust Advisory Board.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board bestow the honor of Chairman Emeritus of the SC Department of Natural Resources on Marion T. Burnside.  Mr. Campbell stated that Mr. Burnside has served the State and this Department with distinction.  He served on this Board as a member for 12 years, 8 of which were as Chairman.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

XII.  Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, November 21, 2003, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC.

 

The DNR Board will hold a workshop in Columbia on November 13, 2003.

 

The December meeting of the DNR Board will be held Thursday, December 11, 2003, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC.

 

XIII. Adjournment

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.