Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC
Thursday, November 18, 2004
9:30 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Thursday,
November 18, 2004, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South
Carolina. 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, Karen Floyd, Frank Murray and
Smith Ragsdale. Mr. John Frampton and
staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting,
as were various guests.
Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane asked Rev.
Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Cary Chamblee introduced
Angela Viney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Tim
Flack and Joey Holleman, The State; Bert Layton, intern with the
Governor’s Office; Skeets Bellamy, Kurt Darby, Charles Ragsdale and David
Miller, guests of Mr. Ragsdale.
V. Constituent
Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
Chairman McShane asked if
there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the October 15, 2004,
meeting. Mr. Campbell made a motion
to accept the minutes of the October 15, 2004 meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VII. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton called on Kirk Carter of the Greenville Saltwater Fishing Club to make a presentation. Mr. Carter presented Jesse Young, Lt. Sandy Young’s son, and Brittany Way, Tricia Way’s daughter, with $1,000 scholarships on behalf of the Greenville Saltwater Fishing Club.
Mr. Frampton commended all staff who worked on the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference in Hilton Head on October 30-November 3, 2004, in particular Cary Chamblee and Sandy Rucker. Mr. Frampton noted that the meeting was very successful and had approximately 700 attendees. Chairman McShane presented Sandy Rucker with the Board’s “Making a Difference, Naturally” certificate for her coordination and planning of this conference.
Chairman McShane presented Hope Mizzell and Jason Caldwell with the Board’s “Making A Difference, Naturally” certificate for their work during this year’s hurricane season.
VIII. Advisory Committee Reports
A. Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy Vang reported that
the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met on October 20, 2004, in
Columbia. The Advisory Committee
presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Douglas Rucker for his service
to the Advisory Committee as the DNR Board representative from 1999-2002.
Rev. Tommy Knotts, Chairman
of the Aiken Conservation District, provided an overview of the Aiken
Conservation District’s activities.
Dave Hargett, one of the
founders of the Saluda-Reedy River Consortium, reviewed his group’s purpose and
goals.
The Advisory Committee
received a report from Steve de Kozlowski on the Aquatic Plant Management
Program’s activities for 2004.
Dr. Bill Clendenin provided
pictorial views of the faults that were discovered during the excavation
activities associated with construction at the Lake Murray Dam.
B. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
David Whitaker reported
that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board met on October 28,
2004, in Charleston. The emphasis of
this meeting was to give the Board more detailed information on ongoing
projects.
Mr. Whitaker noted that
Bill Puckett is now the Chair of the Advisory Board and Skeeter Nash is the
Vice Chair.
C. Heritage Trust
Barry Beasley reported that
the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met November 4, 2004, in Columbia.
Dr. Beasley noted that Tompkins
Island and an
addition to Aiken Tortoise Heritage Preserve were approved by the Advisory
Board.
Bert Pittman and Steve de
Kozlowski gave the Advisory Board an exotic plant species presentation.
Campbell Coxe raised the
issue with the Advisory Board that they need to revisit and revise their
priority list for Heritage Sites.
Dr. Beasley announced that
Dr. Julia Krebs was elected to serve as Chair and Campbell Coxe was elected to
serve as Vice Chair.
IX. Item for Board
Information
South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council
Johnny Stowe described prescribed burning and its benefits to the ecosystem to the Board. Mr. Stowe reported that the first formalized study on prescribed burning was in north Florida and southern Georgia with regard to quail habitat. Mr. Stowe informed the Board that Bob Schowalter, State Forester, called a meeting of interestedgroups and a steering committee was formed. Mr. Stowe noted that The South Carolina Prescribed Fire Council held their first meeting in Edgefield last week and Chairman McShane and Board Member Davis were in attendance. Mr. Stowe noted that the Board serving in 1998 passed a resolution for prescribed burning.
X. Items for Board
Action
A. Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve Management Plan
Dr. Beasley introduced
Pam Ferrell, The Nature Conservancy, and Ken Prosser. Dr. Beasley reviewed the proposed management plan for the
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve. Ms.
Floyd made a motion that the Board approve the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Management Plan as presented. Mr. Evans
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. EPMS Policy Revision
Jean Cowell reviewed the proposed EPMS Policy Revisions and stated that the position description and EPMS forms will be combined to one form. Ms. Cowell also noted that an agency-wide universal review date will be established. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the EPMS Policy Revision as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
C. Loss of WMA Properties in the Piedmont
Mr. Frampton reported that over the last 30 years the agency has lost about one-half of its WMA properties. Mr. Frampton noted that this trend may be due to the fact that some paper and timber companies are selling their properties. Mr. Frampton informed the Board that there has been some talk by Clemson of developing some of the properties that are currently in the WMA program. Mr. Frampton recommended that contacts be made with administrators of Clemson regarding sale of WMA properties. Chairman McShane stated that the Board supports Mr. Frampton beginning dialogue with Clemson administrators about this issue.
D. Emergency Regulation to Close Mosquito Creek within the Yawkey Center to Waterfowl Hunting
Breck Carmichael reported
that the Budget and Control Board will not be meeting until December and he is
proposing emergency regulations to close Mosquito Creek, within the Yawkey
Center, to waterfowl hunting until the Budget and Control Board meets. Mr. Ragsdale made a motion to approve
this proposal. Mr. Davis seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XI. Director’s Briefing
Mr. Frampton informed the Board that
Larry Cartee, for Assistant Director for the Agency, passed away.
Mr.
Frampton reported that Chairman McShane, Cary Chamblee, Derrick Meggie and
others represented DNR at the Governor’s signing ceremony for Ducks Unlimited’s
new license tag on October 22.
Mr.
Frampton noted that he spoke at the 2004 Fall State Mapping Advisory Committee
meeting on November 4, on “State Agency GIS Coordination Effort.”
Mr.
Frampton participated in an agency covered dish luncheon on November 17, held
to welcome staff of the Land, Water and Conservation Division to the Dennis
Building.
Mr.
Frampton reminded the Board that the James O. Thomason Rifle Range Dedication
will be held on Friday, December 3, at the Croft State Park with the dedication
beginning at 12:00 noon followed with lunch at 1:00 pm.
Legislation
Derrick Meggie reviewed the agency’s legislation as approved in concept by the Board. Chairman McShane informed the Board that he has received a letter from a member of the Fur Trappers Association supporting the legislation concerning trapping laws. Mr. Meggie stated that he will have final language for adoption at the December meeting.
XII. Deputy Directors’ Reports
A. Law
Enforcement
Col. Alvin Taylor updated
the Board on the upcoming waterfowl season and training. Col. Taylor announced that the division has
recently implemented the new reporting system.
Col. Taylor informed the Board that he will be compiling a list of small
items needed for officers for possible purchase. Col. Taylor informed the Board that Ken Simmons received the Law
Enforcement Best Presentation Award at the Southeastern Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies conference, in Hilton Head, for his dive team presentation.
B. Outreach and
Support Services
Carole Collins read a note
from a customer on service she received from the Customer Service Section. Ms. Collins updated the Board on the Rewards
Program and the DNR STARS.
C. Marine
Resources
David Whitaker updated the
Board on the Limited Authority Bill and the Blue Crab Limited Authority Bill.
D. Land, Water and
Conservation
Freddy Vang showed the
Board the new weather calendar, put together by the Climatology Section, and
informed them that it can be purchased for $12.95.
E. Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
Breck Carmichael informed
the Board of the plan for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory
Committee to conduct public meetings on Game Zone Restructuring and the
proposed Hatchery Permit. Mr.
Carmichael reported that Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff participated
in a robust redhorse restocking yesterday.
Mr. Carmichael announced that Buddy Baker was presented the Southeastern
Directors’ Biologist of the Year Award at the Southeastern Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies conference in Hilton Head.
XIII. Executive Session
At this time Mr. Campbell
made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual,
legal and personnel matters. Ms. Floyd
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Return to Regular Session
Mr. Davis made a motion to
support the acquisition of property in the ACE Basin NERR. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Campbell made a motion
to approve the transfer of Army Corps of Engineers property at Palatchacola and
Donnelley to DNR along with a $4.85 million Trust Fund. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
Ms. Floyd made a motion that
the Board approve acquisition of an in-holding at Jocassee. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Evans made a motion that
the Board approve the appointment of Carl Dipace to the Marine Advisory
Committee; replacing Micah LeRoche. Mr.
Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XV. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
The December Board meeting
will be held on Friday, December 10, 2004, at Millaree Hunt Club, near
Columbia.
XVI. Adjournment
There being no further
business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was
adjourned.