SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

Chairman Norman Pulliam called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Rev. David Tafaoa, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Shannon Bobertz, Chief Counsel, introduced Chip Sharpe, Outdoor Dream Foundation; Tim Sorrells, SC Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry; Harold Campbell, SC Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry; Bob Williams, SC Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry; and Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy.

Mrs. Bobertz informed the Board that Mr. Sharpe has requested to address the Board. Mr. Sharpe showed the Board a brief video from the Outdoor Dream Foundation’s Lowcountry Dream Hunt.

Mrs. Bobertz informed the Board that Mr. Sorrells has also requested to address the Board. Mr. Sorrels distributed a briefing document about South Carolina Hunters and Landowners for the Hungry and reviewed their history and shared their vision for the future.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the October 5, 2018 meeting minutes. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the October 5, 2018 meeting as presented. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor announced that Angie Cassella has agreed to serve as the Deputy Director for the Division of Administration.

Director Taylor commended the 2018 Officer of the Year and all the regional Law Enforcement Officers of the Year: LCPL J. P. Jones was recognized for Region 4 and as the 2018 Statewide Officer of the year; LCPL Brian Welch was recognized for Region 1; PFC Brittany English was recognized for Region 2; PFC Treye Byard was recognized for Region 3; SGT Jim Shelton was recognized for Education and Investigations Section; PFC Stephen Bryant was recognized for NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators); and PFC Randy Herington was recognized earlier by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) as their 2017 Officer of the Year.

Director Taylor commended Lorianne Riggin and agency staff for their work and fundraising efforts to restore Crab Bank in the Charleston Harbor.

Director Taylor commended Land, Water and Conservation Division Flood Mitigation staff for their work with flood maps and flood mitigation efforts

1. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   Phil Maier, Assistant Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 30 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a review of the 2018 legislative session. The Advisory Committee received updates on the winter kill, staffing changes and license sales. The Advisory Committee received an overview of red snapper management and the oyster shell recycling program.
2. Heritage Trust
   Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met November 1, at Parker Annex in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on Gopher Tortoise Research and had a hands-on session with Pockoy Island artifacts. The Advisory Committee took action on property items which are on the agenda for the Board’s consideration.
3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met November 13 at Samworth WMA in Georgetown. The Advisory Committee received presentations on the potential legislation affecting wildlife rehabbers, educators, sanctuaries, researchers and private possession. The Advisory Committee received an overview of Sturgeon Research in the Winyah Bay System. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the updates and improvements made to Santee Coastal, Santee Delta and Samworth. The Advisory Committee received a legislative update.
4. Migratory Waterfowl
   Dr. Hartley reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Committee met November 7 in Columbia. Dr. Hartley reminded the Board that Scott Storm is the artist for the 2018 stamp. Dr. Hartley informed the Board that the Committee has commissioned artist Jim Killian for the next three years. The Committee had a lengthy discussion on ways to promote the duck stamp program. Dr. Hartley informed the Board that South Carolina Ducks Unlimited will donate $5,000 to the duck stamp program instead of buying $5,000 worth of prints. That way the Department can retain the prints for sale and receive a direct donation of $5,000.

1. Climate Update
   Dr. Hope Mizzell reported on Hurricane Florence and the record high streamflows and flooding. Dr. Mizzell also reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels, ground-water monitoring wells around the state, precipitation forecast and temperature forecast.
2. Update on Consent Agreement Between SC DNR, SC DHEC and Spartanburg Water System
   Ross Self, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, reported on the Consent Agreement between SC DNR, SC DHEC and Spartanburg Water, as related to the recent fish kill. The parties entered into the consent agreement on October 25, 2018. Spartanburg Water has wired $110,357.08 to reimburse the agency for the cost of the investigation and for the restocking of the fish. Mr. Self reported that, to date, approximately 500,000 bluegill and shell cracker have been restocked in Reservoir 1 and Lake Bowen.
3. Report on Wild Turkey Research and Recommendations
   Charles Ruth, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, distributed the report on the Wild Turkey Resources in South Carolina with Recommendations on Seasons and Bag Limits, as prepared for the General Assembly. Mr. Ruth reported on the turkey legislation changes from several years ago. Mr. Ruth noted that this legislation will time out after the 2019 season. Mr. Ruth reviewed the results from the research project and also the recommendations that will be provided to the General Assembly. Mr. Ruth noted that the Department recommendation will be for a season date of April 10 to May 15, including a youth date on a Saturday prior to April 10, with a bag limit of 3 gobblers per season, no more than 2 per day. Mr. Ruth also reviewed an alternative recommendation for a season date of April 5 to May 10, including a youth date on a Saturday prior to April 5, with a bag limit of 3 gobblers per season, no more than 2 per day and no more than one prior to April 10.

Director Taylor again commended the Flood Mitigation Program staff for their work during Hurricane Michael. Director Taylor also commended Tyler Brown, GIS, for his work with the flood modeling.

Director Taylor participated in the Clemson Cooperative annual meeting in Clemson.

Director Taylor met with Mike McShane regarding his testifying in DC on NAWCA and Shooting Sports.

CPT Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, reported that staff have been meeting regarding turkey legislation, captive wildlife legislation and amphibian and reptile legislation.

Director Taylor informed the Board that Lorianne Riggin is attending a conference but asked that he report to the Board that staff are beginning to work with the Corps of Engineers on the Savannah Lock and Dam Project.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Nothing further to report.
2. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board a brief update on the hiring process.
3. Marine Resources
   Nothing further to report.
4. Division of Administration
   Nothing further to report.
5. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.

1. SC DOT Restoration Work on Henderson Heritage Preserve – Miller Tract
   Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, briefly reviewed the SC DOT Restoration work on Henderson Heritage Preserve, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant temporary access to SC DOT and its agents to conduct restoration work along Bridge Creek as presented. Mr. Swygert seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to SC Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) and (A)(2) to discuss appontments to advisory boards related to item (B), and to discuss contractual matters related to potential acquisition of real property related to items (C, D and E). Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Hartley made a motion that the Board return to open session, noting that no action was taken during executive session. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

2. Marine Advisory Committee Reappointments
   Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the reappointments to the Marine Advisory Committee for terms of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022 of the following individuals: Peter Brown of Charleston, SC; William “Ryan” Dukes of Chapin, SC; Brian Rose of Okatie, SC; and Fred Rourk of Pawley’s Island, SC. Mr. Rasor seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Property Acquisition in Greenville County
   Mr. Oxner made a motion that the Board grant final approval to acquire approximately 1,757 acres in Greenville County known as Tall Pines. Dr. Hartley seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
4. Potential Property Acquisition in Lancaster County
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential property acquisition adjoining the SC DNR’s Liberty Hill WMA in Lancaster County. Mr. Oxner seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
5. Potential Property Acquisition in Greenville County
   Mr. Rasor made a motion that the Board accept the recommendation as approved by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board to grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential land acquisition adjoining SC DNR’s Ashmore Heritage Preserve/WMA in Greenville County. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Thursday, January 17, 2019 location TBD.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Hinson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.