The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, October 14, 2014, 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 Glenn McFadden presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, and Elizabeth Willis. Board member Larry Yonce’s absence was excused. Staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Glenn McFadden called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Steven Shugart, SC Army National Guard, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guest: Joey Holleman, The State and Austin Smallwood, SC Realtors.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael informed the Board that no requests were received for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McFadden asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the September 19, 2014, meeting minutes. Norman Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 19, 2014, meeting as submitted. Elizabeth Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Chairman McFadden informed the Board that Director Taylor is absent due to a death in the family.
   
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, commended the officers recognized at the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Luncheon.
   
   Chairman McFadden also recognized MAJ Jamie Landrum’s graduation from the FBI Academy.
   
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   Mr. Boyles reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met on October 7 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received an update on license revenue sales through September. The Advisory Committee received an oyster research and monitoring presentation and was briefed on plans to release red drum fingerlings.
   
9. Item for Board Information
   
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, provided the Board with a drought update and reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Oyster Research and Monitoring: A 5-Year Review of Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Funded Activities within the SCDNR - MRRI
      Dr. Peter Kingsley-Smith, Marine Resources Division, provided the Board with a brief presentation on the activities within the Shellfish Research Section which were funded by Saltwater Recreational Fishing License funds.
10. Director's Briefings
    Mr. Boyles informed the Board that Director Taylor represented SCDNR at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting.
    
    Director Taylor and CPT Billy Downer met with George Thornton, National Wild Turkey Federation, and toured the Hunting Heritage Center and discussed future plans and partnership opportunities.
    
    Mr. Boyles reminded the Board that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series annual awards banquet is scheduled for Friday, October 17.
    
    Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the ACE Basin 25th anniversary celebration is scheduled for November 2.
11. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that the House will be reorganizing and the Department is awaiting prefile dates.
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, which were contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Waters of the US Proposed Rule; Haile Gold Mine; Carolina Jellyballs, LLC; and Charleston Harbor Deepening Project.
13. Deputy Directors' Reports
    
    1. Marine Resources
       Nothing further to report.
    2. Outreach and Support Services
       Scott Speares, Interim Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board a brief update on the DNR App.
    3. Land, Water and Conservation
       Ken Rentiers, Deputy for Land, Water and Conservation, distributed the Heritage Trust revenue report. Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a Water Assessment status report.
    4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, provided the board with an update on the reopening of the Cohen Campbell fish hatchery. Mrs. Cope reviewed the opening day dove season results.
    5. Law Enforcement
       MAJ Jamie Landrum, Law Enforcement Division, gave the Board an update on the hiring process.
14. Executive Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mr. Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The Board will hold a workshop on Thursday, November 13 at C.F. Evans in Orangeburg.
17. 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 October 14, 2014 (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.