The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 21, 2010, in the Marine Resource Research Institute Classroom, Charleston, 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 Stephen Davis and Caroline Rhodes. Board members Michael Campbell, John Evans, Frank Murray and Norman Pulliam’s absences were excused. Director John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman Mike McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Chairman McShane informed the group that due to the fact there is not a quorum all items will be presented as information and no actions will be taken.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Chaplain Bill Youngblood, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, to offer the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Buford Mabry, Chief Counsel, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Don Winslow, Chief of Staff, introduced Joseph Pleasant, commercial fisherman; Fred Dockery, commercial fisherman; Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, CCA; Mark Caldwell, USFWS; Timothy Ford, Middleton Hunt Club; Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry; Frank Blum, SC Seafood Alliance; Bobby Creach, Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee; Mark Richardson, fisherman; and Representative Anne Hutto.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Winslow stated that Mr. Dockery requested to make comments. Mr. Dockery’s comments were in reference to crab trap reduction legislation.
   
   Mr. Winslow stated that Mr. Pleasant requested to make comments. Mr. Pleasant’s comments were in reference to dirty float issues on crab trap lines.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane noted that action on the minutes would be deferred until the November meeting.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year: PFC Andrew Godowns of Darlington, representing Region 2, the 2010 Statewide Officer of the Year. Other regional recipients include: Region 1-PFC Brian Welch, Region 3-PFC James C. Maxwell, Region 4-PFC Cary T. Robinson, and Law Enforcement Education-SGT Kimberly D. Leverich.
   
   Chairman McShane commended Mr. Frampton for being awarded the Seth Gordon Award at the annual meeting of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
   
   Chairman McShane presented the Board's Meritorious Service Award to Lindsay Fairchilds and wished her well with her new position with USDA-NRCS.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory board met, via conference call, on October 6. The primary reason for this meeting was to discuss and take action on the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve Lease Agreement with the City of Cayce. Chairman McShane stated that action on this item would be deferred until the November meeting. Mr. Rentiers then distributed two sheets indicating revenue income under the Heritage Trust Program.
      
      Heritage Trust Program Handout - (Adobe PDF file)
9. Items for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Deveaux Bank Seabird Nesting Research
      Patrick Jodice, SC Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, briefed the Board on the findings of the Deveaux Bank Seabird Nesting Research Project. Dr. Jodice reported that sea bird populations have increased since public access was restricted in 2008.
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Ashmore Heritage Preserve and Marsh Furniture WMA Management Plans
       Chairman noted that action would be deferred until the November meeting but encouraged staff to manage properties under these plans until formally approved.
11. Advisory Committee Report
    Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
    Stephen Davis reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on October 12. The Advisory Committee received reports on the opening day of dove season on public lands, alligator season, Chapter 13 rewrite, the migratory bird permit proposal and the statistics and recommendations for the Comprehensive Deer Management Legislation. Mr. Davis stated that the Advisory Committee passed a motion on combining the Migratory Game Bird and Migratory Waterfowl Permits, to be called the Migratory Game Bird Permit, and charging $11 for residents and $21 for nonresidents.
12. Items for Board Action
    1. Consideration of Freshwater Fisheries Legislation
       Chairman McShane noted that action would be deferred until the November meeting. Ross Self, Chief of Fisheries, and Buford Mabry answered specific questions from Board members present. Mr. Self will make the full presentation at the November meeting.
    2. Consideration of Comprehensive Deer Management Legislation
       Chairman McShane noted that action would be deferred until the November meeting. Chairman McShane asked guests Bobby Creach, Timothy Ford and Dr. Byron Bailey if they had concerns about the legislation. Mr. Creach and Mr. Ford expressed concern about the buck limit and Dr. Bailey is concerned that the Department is being driven to consider a tag system do to budget needs.
       
13. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, reported that no new substantial or significant projects have come in to the Environmental Section since the September meeting and staff are working on continuing projects.
    
14. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton reported that 11 people are participating in one of the incentive programs.
    
    Mr. Frampton informed the Board that the Department will be hosting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission annual meeting on November 8-11 in Charleston.
    
    Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the Belfast dedication ceremony will be held at noon on November 16.
15. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, called attention to a fact sheet on the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish Referendum.
       
    2. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    3. Outreach and Support Services
       Carole Collins, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, briefed the Board on the activities of the Video Section.
    4. Marine Resources
       Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported on the recommendations from the Marine Advisory Subcommittee on the disposition of tournament caught fish. Mr. Boyles informed the Board of the pending discussion with the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee on shore-based access enhancement program for saltwater recreational fishing. Mr. Boyles gave the Board more detail about the ASMFC annual meeting.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Nothing further to report.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The November Board meeting will be held Thursday, November 18, 2010, in Columbia.
    
    The December Board meeting will be held Thursday, December 9, 2010, location to be determined.
    
17. Adjournment
    Chairman McShane noted again, for the record, that no action was taken due to the fact that there was not a quorum present.
    
    There being no further information to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.