SCDNR Board Meeting Minutes

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

Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation. Chairman Pulliam also asked Board member Glenn McFadden to offer an invocation, as this will be his last meeting.

Mike Hutchins led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced Austin Smallwood, SC Association of Realtors.

Mr. Carmichael reported that there were no requests for constituent comment.

Chairman Pulliam asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the September 29, 2017 meeting minutes. Elizabeth Willis made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 29, 2017 meeting as submitted. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Director Taylor noted that the order of the agenda needs to be adjusted to allow Dr. Mizzell to leave for a funeral and to elect a Vice Chairman.

Climate Update
Hope Mizzell, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief report on the 2017 Hurricane Season. Dr. Mizzell then reported on the drought conditions, rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.

Election of Vice Chairman
Glenn McFadden nominated Mike Hutchins as Vice Chairman. Chairman Pulliam asked if there were other nominations. There being no further nominations, Chairman Pulliam recognized Mr. Hutchins as Vice Chairman.

Presentation
Update on Heritage Trust/Cultural Resources Program
Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, welcomed the Board, staff and guests to the Parker Annex Archaeology Center. Sean Taylor, Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board an update of the activities of the Heritage Trust/Cultural Resources Program.

Commendations
Director Taylor commended all of the regional Law Enforcement Officers of the Year: PFC JB Smith, representing Region 3, was honored as the 2017 Statewide Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The regional recipients included: PFC Jay Harvey, Region 1; PFC Matt Owen, Region 2; LCPL Jeff Day, Region 4; Investigator Michael Brock, Law Enforcement Investigations and Education; and PFC Blake Baxley, NASBLA Officer of the Year.

Director Taylor commended Robert Boyles and Marine Resources Division staff who worked on the MRD Open House on Saturday, October 21.

Director Taylor commended all the officers who went to Texas and assisted with Hurricane Harvey efforts.

1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 2 at the Parker Annex Archaeology Center. The Advisory Committee received an update on coyote harvest; problematic vegetation at Lake Murray; restocking of triploid carp at Lake Murray and Lake Greenwood; bear hunting in Game Zone 4; and the Hartwell Habitat Enhancement Project.
2. Law Enforcement
   COL Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met October 12 at the Rembert C. Dennis Building. The Advisory Committee received overviews and updates on the House Legislative Oversight Committee; the K9 Program; and the dive team.
3. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 24 at Waddell Mariculture Center. The Advisory Committee received overviews and updates on recreational license sales; stocking efforts; and recent storm damage and renovation at Waddell Mariculture Center.
4. Heritage Trust
   Mr. Rentiers reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met November 2 at the Parker Annex Archaeology Center. The Advisory Committee received an update on the House Legislative Oversight Committee and the presentation of the Heritage Trust/Cultural Resources Program.
5. Migratory Waterfowl
   Mr. Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met November 8 at the Rembert C. Dennis Building. The original artwork for the 2018-19 stamp was displayed. The Advisory Committee received an overview of revenue and sales, noting there is still a decline in sales.

Director Taylor reported that he and staff have been working on the agency presentation for the Legislative Oversight Committee.

Director Taylor met with US Forest Service staff to discuss shooting range partnership opportunities.

Director Taylor and staff participated in the DNR Sportfishing Industry Summit.

Mike Sabaka, Director of Legislative Services, reported that staff are reviewing prefiled legislation. Mr. Sabaka has been attending meetings about the collection of property tax on watercraft and motors.

Lorianne Riggin, Director of Environmental Programs, introduced newly hired employee Tom Daniel. Ms. Riggin then reported, briefly, on the Congaree River Coal Tar Cleanup.

1. Land, Water and Conservation
   Nothing further to report.
2. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
   Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, provided the Board with a bear season harvest report.
3. Law Enforcement
   COL Frampton reported on the hiring process and gave the Board a monthly activity update.
4. Marine
   Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported on the Marine Resources Center Open House and gave the Board a brief update on the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program.
5. Outreach and Support Services
   Carole Collins, Deputy Director for the Division of Administration, gave the Board an update on infrastructure and hiring.

1. Extension of Lease on NOAA Lab
   Mr. Boyles requested that action on this item be deferred until a later date.
2. Acknowledgement of Acceptance of Toyota Tundra from TNC
   Mr. Boyles reviewed the proposal, as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board accept the donation from The Nature Conservancy of a 2000 Toyota Tundra truck as presented, and that the Chairman be authorized to sign an acknowledgement of acceptance of this personal property. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
3. Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve Trail and Parking
   Ken Prosser, Assistant Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reviewed the proposal as included in the meeting packet. Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board approve the granting of temporary licenses to the City of Walhalla and Palmetto Conservatiion Foundation to authorize the proposed activities at Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve as presented. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Yonce made a motion that the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to S.C. Code Section 30-4-70(A)(1) to discuss appointments to advisory boards related to items (E) and S.C. Code Section 30-4-70(A)(2) to discuss contractual matters related to real property in items (F) and (G). Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

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

Director Taylor acknowledged Breck Carmichael and noted that he will be retiring at the end of the year.

Chairman Pulliam recognized Cary Chastain, in his absence, and thanked him for his work for DNR.

Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board approve the Conservation District Commissioner Appointments/Reappointments based on the information as provided to the Board secretary.

Appointments:
Neely Page of Aiken – term of 10/24/17 to 07/05/21
Jason M. Gamble of Clarendon – term of 10/24/17 to 09/18/18
William Covington, Jr. of Marlboro – term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/19
Linda Lee of Aiken – term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/21
Joshua Weaver of Anderson – term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/19
Justin L. Woodard of Clarendon - term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/21
Donald J. Quick of Marlboro - term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/19
John L. Newman of Sumter - term of 10/24/17 to 01/31/19

Reappointments:
Wayne Satterwhite of Newberry - term of 10/24/17 to 03/03/21
Dale L. Mayson of Pickens - term of 10/24/17 to 08/26/21

Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Willis made a motion that the SCDNR Board grant preliminary approval to investigate a potential acquisition adjoining SCDNR's Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve in Lancaster County. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hinson made a motion that the SCDNR Board approve the acquisition of approximately 12 acres bordering US Highway 17 across from SCDNR's Donnelley Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County. Mrs. Willis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

The next meeting of the Board will be January 18 in Columbia.

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