The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010, in room 335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, 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 Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, John Evans, Frank Murray, Norman Pulliam and Caroline Rhodes. 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.
2. Invocation
   Chairman McShane asked Chaplain Ron Kenyon, South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Programs, 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 Mary Shriner, Santee Cooper Country and Douglas Ford, Research Director, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry.
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Winslow noted that there were no requests for constituent comments.
   
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman McShane asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the September 16, 2010, meeting minutes. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 16, 2010, meeting as submitted. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
   Chairman McShane noted that the minutes of the October 21, 2010, meeting are submitted as informational minutes and asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections. Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the informational minutes of the October 21, 2010, meeting as submitted. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
   
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Mr. Frampton commended Robert Boyles, MRD staff and Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Rhodes for hosting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting in Charleston on November 8-11.
   
   Mr. Frampton commended Emily Cope for coordination of the Belfast Wildlife Management Area celebration on November 16 that was well attended and successful.
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Board met on October 26. The Advisory Board received presentations on the Shore-Based Angler Survey conducted by Responsive Management; the disposition of catch in Billfishing tournaments; supporting shore-based angler’s access programs. The Advisory Board asked staff to investigate increasing the resident annual saltwater fishing license, resident 14 day saltwater fishing license, nonresident annual saltwater fishing license and nonresident 14 day saltwater fishing license by $5.00.
      
      Mrs. Rhodes commended Director Frampton for receiving the David H. Hart Award at the ASMFC meeting. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding efforts to improve Atlantic coast marine fisheries.
   2. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met October 28. The Advisory Board received presentations on the satellite tagging efforts and the budget through September 2010. The Advisory Board was asked to submit nominations for vacancies. Mr. Boyles reported that the Advisory Board sent proposed rule changes back to the tournament committee. A motion was made and passed to send a letter supporting the Billfish Conservation Act.
   3. Heritage Trust
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met on November 4. The Advisory Board received presentation on Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and the archaeological significance of the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve. The Advisory Board reviewed the updated revenue figures.
      
      Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve Lease Agreement with the City of Cayce. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
9. Items for Board Information
   1. 2010 Boating Season
      Lt. Gary Sullivan, Law Enforcement Investigations, reported that during the 2010 boating season there have been 100 reportable accidents and 45 non reportable accidents (damage under $2,000). Lt. Sullivan stated that there have been 24 fatalities and noted the total for 2009 was 11. Lt. Sullivan reported on a 2008 case that was adjudicated this year. The case involved two recreational boats and resulted in the death of a 14 year old child. It was determined that the subjects were fleeing from a burglary when they hit the other boat from behind. The subjects pled guilty and were sentenced to 22 years (passenger) and 27 years (operator). Lt. Sullivan also reported on abandoned boats and hunting incidents.
   2. Climate Update
      Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state. Dr. Mizzell reported that the Drought Committee will meet November 23.
   3. Proposed Revenue Enhancements and 2011 Legislative Proposal
      Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, reviewed the proposed cost recoveries and revenue enhancements, as included in the Board meeting package.
      
      Turkey Tags – The Board recommended a fee of $10 for residents which includes 3 tags and the option to purchase 2 additional tags at $20 each. The Board recommended a fee of $100 for non residents which includes 3 tags. The Board asked staff calculate the actual cost for the tags and report back in December.
      
      Migratory Game Bird Permit – Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the combining of the Migratory Game Bird and Migratory Waterfowl Permits and charge $11 for residents and $21 for non residents. This permit would be called the Migratory Game Bird Permit and would be required of all persons hunting waterfowl, mourning doves, woodcock, snipe, marsh hens, common moorhens and purple gallinules. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Property User Fee – Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the proposal to sell individual user permits for a cost not to exceed $5 a day for $25 a year for individuals 16 years and older. On areas where private passenger vehicles are allowed the cost is $5 per passenger up to a maximum of $15 per private vehicle. The department may contract with any entity to use its property for commercial activities including tours, provided, the department may permit educational visits at no cost by groups sponsored by the department. This fee will be charged at select Heritage Preserves for which it is appropriate to charge an individual user fee. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Shooting Preserve License – Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the proposal to raise the fee for the Shooting Preserve License to that of annual resident hunting license and clarify this as a non resident license. The current fee is $8.50 and staff are proposing raising this fee to $12. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Repeal Lakes and Reservoirs Permit – Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the proposal to repeal the $3 Lakes and Reservoirs Permit and require these customers to obtain a resident freshwater fishing license for $10. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
      
      Marine Resources Permits – After a review of the proposed increases for Marine Resources Permits, the Board asked staff to look at only increasing the nonresident fees and report back in December.
      
10. Items for Board Action
    1. Consideration of Freshwater Fisheries Legislation
       Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the Freshwater Fisheries Legislation as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    2. Consideration of Comprehensive Deer Management Legislation
       Breck Carmichael, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, distributed and reviewed two options for the Deer Management Program. Discussion was held concerning the different options and it was determined to defer action and continue the discussion at the next meeting.
       
       Option 1
       Deer Management Program
       

       Resident	Non Resident
       3 buck $5.00 per 4 doe $5.00 per	3 buck $25.00 per 4 doe $25.00 per
       No antlerless days	No antlerless days
       ADQP - $200 application fee	ADQP - $200 application fee
       No Buck ADQP	No Buck ADQP
       Big Game Permit remains	Big Game Permit remains

       
       
       Option 2
       Deer Management Program
       

       Resident	Non Resident
       5 buck $5.00 per - Only 3 tags valid in Game Zones 1 & 2, all 5 tags valid in Game Zones 3, 4, 5, 6	5 buck $25.00 per - Only 3 tags valid in Game Zones 1 & 2, all 5 tags valid in Game Zones 3, 4, 5, 6
       4 doe $5.00 per	4 doe $25.00 per
       No antlerless days	No antlerless days
       Deer Quota Program (DQP) (includes buck and doe) - $200 application fee	Deer Quota Program (DQP) (includes buck and doe) - $200 application fee
       Big Game Permit remains	Big Game Permit remains

    3. Ashmore Heritage Preserve and Marsh Furniture WMA Management Plans
       Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board approve the Ashmore Heritage Preserve and Marsh Furniture WMA Management Plans as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    4. Use of Endowment Fund Interest
       Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board allow the department to use up to $328,000 of the Endowment Fund Interest primarily for the license area. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    5. Emergency Regulations – Special Mobility Impaired Waterfowl Hunts
       Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the Special Mobility Impaired Waterfowl Hunts Emergency Regulations as included in the Board meeting package. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
       
11. Director’s Briefings
    Mr. Frampton reported on the Restructuring Subcommittee hearing and the budget.
    
    Mr. Frampton reported on the passage of the Constitutional right to Hunt and Fish amendment.
12. Environmental Report
    Bob Perry, Director of Environmental Programs, reported on the Savannah River Harbor Expansion Project and noted that a letter, to the Corps of Engineers, has been drafted requesting that they extend the 45 day review to 120 days. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the request for extension. Mr. Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Perry also reported on the Catawba-Wateree Water suit.
    
13. Executive Session
    At this time, Mr. Campbell made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
14. Return to Regular Session
    Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board return to regular session and noted that no actions were taken in Executive Session. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
15. Time and Location of the Next Meetings
    The December Board meeting will be held Friday, December 17, 2010, via video/teleconference in Columbia and Charleston.
    
    The January Board meeting will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2011, in Columbia.
    
16. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.