The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 19, 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 10:00 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 Representative Michael Pitts; Tim Rogers, House Ways and Means Committee; and Joey Holleman, The State.
   
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 September 28, 2007, meeting. There being none, Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 28, 2007, meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Sgt. Todd Campbell on his selection as 2007 Statewide Officer of the Year. Sgt. Campbell will represent South Carolina at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference.
   
   Chairman McShane asked Representative Pitts to address the Board. Representative Pitts spoke on the issue of top sowing of wheat for doves, dove population, top sowing vs. morning dove hunts, baiting, concern for the loss of the hunting tradition, and public access to waterways and public lands. Mr. Frampton informed the Board that he, Col. Taylor, and Breck Carmichael will discuss the top sowing issue with their respective committees at the upcoming Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Conference. Mr. Frampton stated that he will also form a committee, that he will chair, to look into this issue.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
      David Whitaker reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met October 11, 2007, in Charleston. The Advisory Board welcomed Dr. Rhett Spencer to the Board. Mr. Whitaker informed the Board that the NMFS regulation on circle hooks will go in to effect on January 1. Mr. Frampton thanked Tom DuPre’ for his years of service and work with this Advisory Board. The Advisory Board took action on changing points and youth anglers.
   2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mr. Davis reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee received updates on the Santee Cooper Stakeholders Group meeting, opening day results from public dove fields, marketing efforts, and legislative priorities.
   3. Land, Water and Conservation
      Steve de Kozlowski reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on October 18, 2007. Dr. John Mark Dean and Mr. Randy Snow recently resigned from the committee. The Advisory Committee received briefings on the Jasper County Natural Resources Conservation Plan, the drought status, the Little Pee Dee Scenic River Management Plan, the I-73 compensation for the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve, abandoned agricultural pesticides, the FY09 budget request, and the Savannah Basin Committee meeting.
      
9. Items for Board Information
   1. FY 2008-2009 Budget
      Mr. Frampton distributed copies and reviewed the agency’s budget request for FY 08-09. Mr. Frampton stated that the request was presented at the natural resource agencies budget hearing on October 3 and the law enforcement agencies budget hearing on October 5.
   2. Drought Response Committee
      Mr. de Kozlowski distributed and reviewed the proposed changes to the South Carolina Drought Response Act as approved by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee. Chairman McShane asked Board members to review this proposal and have comments or concerns to him by the November meeting.
   3. Boating Bill Update
      Buford Mabry reported that the Boating Bill Committee has sent the latest draft to selected law enforcement agencies and marine dealers for review and comment. Mr. Mabry stated that he hopes this proposed legislation will be ready for approval in November.
   4. Drought Update
      Hope Mizzell distributed and reviewed the SC Drought Update document dated October 18, 2007, stating that the state is close to a 17” rainfall deficit and that this past July through September has been the driest such period on record. Mrs. Mizzell reviewed stream flows, lake levels, and groundwater monitoring well levels.
   5. Striped Bass Stakeholders Meeting
      Ross Self reported that the Striped Bass Stakeholders Group met on October 3. Legislative delegations bordering the lake system were invited to attend or send a designee. Invitations were sent to approximately 42 individuals with 32 attending the first meeting. The group received a presentation on the history of the system. The next meeting will be October 24.
   6. Saltwater License
      Mr. Whitaker made a presentation to the Board on the Federal requirements for saltwater recreational anglers registry and the need to license shore-based anglers. Mr. Whitaker noted shore-based anglers will either have to be licensed by the states by 2010 or the federal government will license them at a cost of $25-$30 per license. Mr. Whitaker pointed out that there has been steady growth in saltwater license sales since 1993 when the state law was passed and noted that most nonresident licenses are held by North Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Whitaker reviewed the revenue history of the saltwater license and mentioned that the Department may want to consider moving to a 365-day license or multi-year license.
10. Items for Board Action
    Agricultural Practices for Turkey Hunting Draft Legislation
    Breck Carmichael reviewed the proposed legislation for Agricultural Practices for Turkey Hunting as included in the Board package. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the Agricultural Practices for Turkey Hunting Draft Legislation as presented. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
11. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. de Kozlowski invited the Board to attend A Taste of Archaeology: How Food Has Influenced the Archaeological Record that will be held October 20 in McConnells.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Taylor gave the Board an update on the new class of officers. Col. Taylor reported that the Law Enforcement Division is currently working on a new Law Enforcement Directory and it should be finished in December.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins informed the Board that the Wildlife Shop is ready for the Christmas season. Ms. Collins reported that in the first year there have been 9,000 online boating transactions. Ms. Collins announced that Don Winslow is now managing the Business and Finance section.
    4. Marine Resources
       Mr. Whitaker updated the Board on the pier tagging cooperative research effort. Mr. Whitaker also updated the Board on the Red Tide currently affecting the Florida Coast.
    5. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mr. Carmichael distributed a new brochure on Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. Mr. Carmichael gave the Board a brief report on a recent meeting with Santee Cooper officials regarding alligator management. Mr. Campbell informed the Board that Marion Burnside has been nominated for the 2008 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year.
       
12. 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.
13. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept a donation from Francis Marion University of two acres adjoining the 10-acre tract that will be the new DNR Regional Office in Florence. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion to sell the remaining Oak Grove Property (three acres) and the associated building for fair market value. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion to amend the minutes of the September 28, 200,7 minutes as follows:
    

    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(s). Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion
    carried unanimously.

    Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
14. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The November Board meeting will be held on Friday, November 16, in Columbia.
15. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.