Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
Columbia, SC
Friday, November 21, 2003
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
Friday, October 10, 2003, 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 McShane presided at the
meeting. Board members present included
Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, D. Malloy McEachin, Jr., and Smith
Ragsdale. Board Members absent were Dr.
Joab Lesesne, Jr., and Dr. Douglas Rucker.
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.
II. Board
Presentation
Chairman
McShane asked former Chairman Marion Burnside to join him at the front of the
room. Chairman McShane then read a
resolution honoring Mr. Burnside and naming him as Chairman Emeritus of the SC
Department of Natural Resources Board.
Chairman
McShane acknowledged the work of staff at the Wee Tee Program Dedication on
November 18. Chairman McShane
complimented Mike Willis and Emily Cope for their work in the coordination of
this dedication.
Chairman
McShane also expressed the feeling of loss of the Board and staff and
acknowledged that the funeral for Doug Oakley, a 28 year veteran of the Department,
will be this afternoon.
Chairman
McShane asked for a moment of silence and recognition of Doug Oakley’s
contribution to the Department.
Mr. Dobbins introduced John Evans; Noel Hurley, USGS; Joey
Holleman, The State newspaper; Susie Little; Tom Thrasher, Cliffs
Community; Alvin Garrison, Duke Energy; Tracy Beer, Duke Power; and Mike Foley,
SC PRT.
V. Constituent
Comment
Mr. Dobbins informed the Board that Chip Sharpe requested to
speak to the Board. Mr. Sharpe asked
the Board to consider information he provided to the Board supporting opinion
about step raises for Corporals.
Mr. McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions
to the minutes of the October 10, 2003 meeting. There being no corrections or additions, Mr. Davis made a
motion that the Board approve the minutes of the October 10, 2003, meeting as
submitted. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VII. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton called on BeBe Harrison to present certificates to Roxanne
Coleman from Shakespeare and Amanda Howard from Hunting Island State park and
thank them for their outstanding assistance with the Fishing Tackle Loaner
Program.
Mr. Frampton commended Waddell Mariculture Center on winning the Palmetto
Vision Award for Aquaculture biotechnology development. Mr. Frampton noted that the award went to
the Center, but acknowledged Al Stokes and Dr. Craig Browdy who were principles
in the effort.
Mr. Frampton commended CEC staff on the new SC Wildlife Show on ETV.
Mr. Frampton commended the accounting staff for the commendation letter
received from the Comptroller General on the extremely favorable audit received
for the year ended June 30, 2002.
VIII. Advisory
Committee Reports
A. Land, Water and Conservation
Freddy
Vang distributed copies of a new map series that is being produced by
Geological Survey. Mr. Vang reported
that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee received a climate
update. The Advisory Committee also reviewed changes to the legislation for
conservation districts. Mr. Vang noted
that the State Water Plan draft has been completed and submitted to the
Governor’s Water Law Review Committee.
B. Governor’s
Cup Billfishing Series
Mr.
Frampton distributed copies of a written report from Robert Boyles. Mr. Boyles and other Marine Resources staff
are attending funeral services for Doug Oakley. Chairman McShane expressed his pleasure of the Governor’s Cup
Advisory Committee and the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund having a joint
banquet.
C. Heritage
Trust
Billy
McTeer reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met November 6. Mr. McTeer informed the Board that the
Heritage Trust Advisory Board approved the Upper Three Runs Creek in Aiken
County as a protection project, approved an updated Heritage Land Trust Fund
budget, approved a 155-acre addition to Peachtree Rock, and a 50-acre purchase
addition to the budget. The Advisory
Board approved proceeding with the development of an agreement to lease
approximately 15 acres at Poinsett Bridge to the Greenville County Recreation
District.
D. Marine
Mr.
Ragsdale reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on November 7. Mr. Ragsdale stated that Dr. Wenner reported
that the white shrimp count is near normal and the brown shrimp count is
down. Mr. Ragsdale noted that the
impact that the drought has had on the blue crab stocks is a major issue now. David Whitaker presented a thorough review
of the limited entry plan for the crab fishery. Three public meetings were held on this issue. The Marine Advisory Committee endorsed the
plan and is asking that legislation be drawn up for review before presentation
to the Board.
E. Law
Enforcement
Mr.
Campbell reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on November
12, at the Marine Center, in Charleston.
The Advisory Committee received an agency update from Col. Wright. Major Taylor gave a brief overview of the
Joint Enforcement Agreement Program.
Lt. Walters gave the Advisory Committee a report on a waterfowl
identification guide. Mr. Campbell
stated that the major piece of business dealt with alligator and nuisance
control coordination.
IX. Item
for Board Information
Jocassee
Gorges Forest Management Plan
Billy
McTeer introduced Mark Hall. Mr. Hall
gave the Board a brief presentation of the Jocassee Gorges Forest Management
Plan.
X. Items
for Board Action
A. Proposed
WMA and Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations
Tim Ivey briefly reviewed the proposed WMA
and Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations.
Mr. McEachin asked about allowing skull and/or antlers in the
State. Mr. McEachin then asked that
biologist review 123-54(3)(a)(b) and (c).
Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board accept the proposed
regulations as presented (123-40 and 123-51) with the exception of regulation
123-54, which we will adjourn consideration until the next meeting. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
B. 2004 Legislative Priorities
Derrick Meggie asked that action on this
item be deferred until the December meeting.
C. Comprehensive Monitoring of the Reedy
River Watershed
Ed
Duncan informed the Board that they, DNR Board, also acts as the Board of
Trustees for the South Carolina Mitigation Trust Fund. This Trust Fund hold certain monies that
have been provided to the State for mitigation purposes, mostly as a result of
regulatory actions, such as permitting mitigation, mitigation for fish entrainment
impacted by hydro power plants and it also holds the Reedy River oil spill
settlement. The objective of the
proposed work is to conduct long-term monitoring of the aquatic resources of
the Reedy River. The Natural Resources
Trustees (Governor, DHEC Director and DNR Director) have approved this
plan. The request is that the Board of
the Mitigation Trust Fund approve the release of $313,605 so the monitoring
effort can be initiated. Mr. Davis
made a motion that the Board approve the funding request as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
XI. Director’s Briefings
Mr.
Frampton represented the Department at the Southeastern Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies annual meeting held October 11-15 in Mobile, Alabama. Mr. Frampton reminded the board that we will
be hosting next year’s meeting on October 31-November 2, in Hilton Head.
Mr.
Frampton gave opening remarks at the National Estuarine Research Reserve annual
workshop held in Charleston.
Mr.
Frampton spoke to the Conway Kiwanis Club on October 28 about DNR
Programs. This was done at the request
of Representative Billy Witherspoon.
Mr.
Frampton participated in the Governor’s Cabinet Meeting on November 17.
Mr.
Frampton met with Jim Hendricks, of Duke Power, on November 17, to discuss Sassafras
Mountain.
Mr.
Frampton met with congressional staff and Congressman Charles Taylor on
November 19.
Habitat
Task Force
Barry Beasley reported that the
Habitat Task Force has been reviewing the place of conservation easements in
the land protection strategy in DNR.
XII. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Marine
Mr.
Frampton distributed copies of Mr. Boyles’ report to the Board. Mr. Frampton commended Marine Resources
Division staff for their efforts in trying to resuscitate Doug Oakley and
expressed his condolences.
2. Land,
Water and Conservation
Mr. Vang
reported that the Water Law Review Committee will have a meeting on Tuesday,
December 2. The Committee’s final
report will go to the Governor’s office on January 6, 2004. Mr. Vang reported that SCDNR has been
selected by the IAFWA to serve as the Southeast Region pilot state for
development and implementation of communications plans on aquatic nuisance
species, such as hydrilla and zebra mussels.
3. Wildlife
and Freshwater Fisheries
Billy McTeer
reported that he and Derrell Shipes attended a meeting of a group called the
Santee Cooper Waterfowl and Fisheries Coalition. They are a group of sportsmen, marine operators, and landowners
who are interested in DNR’s activities and involvement in the Santee Lakes.
4. Law
Enforcement
Col. Alvin
Wright introduced Larry Holbrooks, Region 1 Captain; and Harvin Brock, Region 3
Captain. Col. Wright reported that he
has met with three of the four regions.
Col. Wright informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Division will
receive $14,000 for equipment, as a result of their litter enforcement efforts.
5. CEC
and Administrative Services
Carole
Collins distributed copies of talking points on grants to have South Carolina Wildlife magazine to be provided in all schools. Ms. Collins reported that the next tv show will air December 20,
at 6:00 pm. This episode will be
highlighting Jocassee and the Webb Center.
Mr.
Frampton commended CEC, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Law Enforcement
staff for their work on the success of the Wee Tee dedication.
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. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Return
to Regular Session
Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the request for an
easement for construction of a retail distribution power line adjacent to an
existing power line on DNR land in Pickens County within the Jocassee Gorges
property. Mr. Campbell seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board determine that the area subject
to the requested Duke Power Easement is a preserve requiring review under
Section 10-1-135. Mr. McEachin seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XV. Time
and Location of the Next Meeting
The next
meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2003, in room
335 of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC.
The
January meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, January 16, 2004, at the
Drummond Center, Lake Greenwood State Park, Greenwood, SC.
The
February meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, February 13, 2004, at
the Marine Resources Center Auditorium, Charleston, SC.
XVI. Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.