The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m., November 15, 2012, at the Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, SC. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman John Evans called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Chaplain Bill Youngblood, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Scott Whitaker, Executive Director, Coastal Conservation Association.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael stated that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the October 16, 2012, meeting minutes. Caroline Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the October 16, 2012, meeting as submitted. Mike Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 16, 2012 in Charleston. The advisory committee received updates on saltwater license revenue through September, the red snapper mini season, shore based fishing access projects and the stock enhancement project. Staff reviewed proposed legislation for the 2013 legislative session.
   2. Governor’s Cup Billfishing
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met November 1, 2012 in Charleston. The advisory committee was briefed on the recently held Tournament Committee meeting. The Tournament Committee provided a summary of the 2012 Series and initial plans for the 2013 Series. The Tournament Committee agreed on the proposed 2013 schedule to be provided to the advisory committee. The Tournament Committee was presented the motions and recommendations provided by the advisory committee.
      
      The advisory committee discussed possible rules changes for the 2013 Series. The advisory committee received an overview of the 2012 Series expenditures and approved use of Series funds for the Wallace Pate Scholarship, the Harry Hampton yearly sponsorship and the assessment fee for the account.
   3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met November 1, 2012 in Columbia. The advisory committee received general program updates and budget and revenue updates. The advisory committee approved an acquisition which will be presented to the Board during executive session.
   4. Migratory Waterfowl
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met November 5, 2012 in Columbia. The advisory committee received an update on the 2013 Duck Stamp print. Mr. Hutchins noted that there will be a media reception and unveiling of the 2013 Duck Stamp original painting held on January 11, 2013 in Anderson. The advisory committee discussed ideas for the 2014 Duck Stamp and ideas for marketing.
      
      The Board also discussed some marketing ideas for the Duck Stamp print.
8. Item for Board Information
   Historical Overview of Deer Legislation in South Carolina
   Charles Ruth, Deer Project Supervisor, gave the Board a brief history of deer legislation and position statements by previous Boards. Mr. Ruth highlighted legislation regarding regulatory authority, game consolidation, bag limits, bait, dog hunting, fences and importation. Mr. Ruth also highlighted Board/Commission position statements from 1994, regarding dog hunting; and 1997 regarding fences and importation.
9. Director’s Briefings
   Director Taylor met with Governor’s Office staff to discuss DNR’s budget submission.
   
   Director Taylor met with several Horry County state and local officials to discuss International Drive/Burroughs Road at Lewis Ocean Bay.
   
   Director Taylor announced that Senator Chip Campsen will be serving as Chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.
   
   Director Taylor reminded the Board that the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses 9th Annual Sportsmen-Legislator Summit is scheduled for November 27-30 in Myrtle Beach.
   
   Director Taylor informed the board that the DNR Legislative Reception has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia.
   
10. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, reported the House will be holding their reorganizational session in early December. House prefile dates are December 11 and December 18.
11. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director, Office of Environmental Programs, highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: the draft Savannah River Drought Contingency Plan; SCDOT Interstate 73; Haile Gold Mine; and South Island Dredging Association.
12. Deputy Directors’ Reports
    1. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, stated that he would look into some of the ideas for marketing the Duck Stamp print.
    2. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers distributed copies of the SC Geology magazine. Mr. Rentiers reported that efforts have begun to restart Phase II of the Savannah River Basin Comprehensive Study.
    3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope reported that per legislation passed in the last session, free hunting days have been set for January 4 and 5, 2013. Mrs. Cope also informed the Board that the Department was notified, by DHEC, that the Albemarle Plant in Orangeburg County had a cyanide release in the Edisto River. Staff have been on site looking for signs of a fish kill but have seen no evidence yet.
    4. Law Enforcement
       Nothing further to report.
    5. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles informed the Board that because of the work of, former employee, Dick Byrd, Bob Van Dolah and Kevin Kibler the Department received the Award of Excellence from the International Concrete Repair Institute for the MRRI repairs.
13. Executive Session
    Larry Yonce made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Open Session
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Norman Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give final approval to accept a property donation of 754 acres within the DNR’s Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve/WMA in Horry County. Cary Chastain seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion to approve the conveyance of access easements to Tim Tovar and to Margaret Sutton along a gravel road within the DNR’s Jocassee Gorges property extending north from US Highway 178 to lands owned by Tovar and Sutton. Randy Lowe seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
15. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The December Board meeting will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012.
    
16. 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 November 15, 2012 (file size 113KB), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.