The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, November 21, 2013, 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 John Evans presided at the meeting. Board members present included Cary Chastain, Michael Hutchins, Randy Lowe, Glenn McFadden, Norman Pulliam, Caroline Rhodes and Larry Yonce. Director Alvin Taylor and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting.

1. Call to Order
   Chairman John Evans called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Invocation
   Rev. Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program, offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
   Vice Chairman Cary Chastain led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Introduction of Guests
   Breck Carmichael, Special Assistant to the Director, introduced the following guests: Mike Ruhe, Duke Energy; Brett Hubler, Senate Fish, Game and Forestry; Scott Whitaker, Coastal Conservation Association; Rob Wendt; Julian Jones, Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee; and Bonnie Loomus, The Palladian Group.
   
5. Constituent Comments
   Mr. Carmichael noted that there were no requests for constituent comment.
6. Approval of Minutes
   Chairman Evans asked if there were any amendments, additions, deletions or corrections to the September 26, 2013, meeting minutes. Caroline Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the September 26, 2013, meeting as submitted. Norman Pulliam seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
7. Presentations/Commendations
   Director Taylor asked Mr. Carmichael to present the Meritorious Service Award to a nominated employee. Mr. Carmichael presented the award to Priscilla Wendt, Office of Environmental Programs, specifically for her efforts over the past 10 years serving as the project manager of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.
   
   Director Taylor commended the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year: SGT Marcus R. Smith of Saluda, representing Region 3 - the 2013 Statewide Officer of the Year. Other regional recipients include: Region 1 - PFC Rodney Cutter, Region 2 – PFC Ezra Arnold, Region 4 – PFC Michael A. Davis, Law Enforcement Investigations and Education – SSGT Stephanie E. Brown, State National Association of State Boating Law Minutes – DNR Board Meeting November 21, 2013 Page 2 of 6 Administrators (NASBLA) Officer - LCPL Brian Crawford.
   
   Director Taylor commended Gerald Moore of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and staff involved in coordinating the 2013 Upstate Mobility Impaired Deer Hunts.
   
   Director Taylor commended SGT Lynwood Kearse and staff involved in the 9th Annual Safari Club International Low Country Chapter Wheelchair and Wounded Warrior Hunt event.
   
8. Advisory Committee Reports
   1. Marine
      Cary Chastain reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met October 4 in McClellanville. The Advisory Committee received presentations on potential management alternatives for small sciaenid fishes and minimum size limit for commercially harvested oysters. The Advisory Committee received an update on the shrimp fishery.
   2. Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
      Robert Boyles, Deputy Director for Marine Resources, reported that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 8 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received updates on recreational saltwater license revenues and long term monitoring of fish populations in SC.
   3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
      Mike Hutchins reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met October 8 at Donnelley WMA. The Advisory Committee received presentations on the cormorant removal program and the blue catfish in the Santee lake System. The Advisory Committee received opening day results from WMA dove fields. The Advisory Committee discussed coyote control strategies.
   4. Land, Water and Conservation
      Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director for Land, Water and Conservation, reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee met October 15 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee received updates on division activities.
   5. Waterfowl
      Emily Cope, Deputy Director for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met October 22 at Pon Pon Plantation. The Advisory Committee received a report on the Samworth boat ramp project. The Advisory Committee received an overview on category 1 waterfowl areas and the upcoming waterfowl season.
   6. Law Enforcement
      Mr. Pulliam reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met November 5 and 6 at Devils Fork State Park. The Advisory Committee had a tour of Lake Jocassee on Tuesday evening. At their meeting on Wednesday, the Advisory Committee received an update on Law Enforcement hiring and promotions. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the training and hiring process from a recently hired officer.
   7. Migratory Waterfowl
      Mr. Hutchins reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Advisory Committee met November 5 in Columbia. The Advisory Committee welcomed new member Jim Hill. The Advisory Committee selected the Two Drakes with Reflection in Lexington County for the 2015 stamp. The Advisory Committee received a report of revenues and expenditures. Mr. Hutchins recognized Committee member Julian Jones. Mr. Jones informed the Board of an article about the SC Migratory Waterfowl Stamp in the Delta Waterfowl Magazine.
   8. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
      Mr. Boyles reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Committee met November 7 in Charleston. The Advisory Committee received a recap of the 2013 series. The Advisory Committee finalized budget items and discussed ideas for a specialty license plate. The Advisory Committee appointed two new members to the Tournament Committee.
   9. Heritage Trust
      Mr. Rentiers reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Committee met November 7 at Cooks Mountain, Richland County. The Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Haile Gold Mine and the proposed mitigation project. Mr. Rentiers distributed the most recent Heritage Trust revenue statement.
      
9. Item for Board Information
   1. Climate Update
      Mark Malsick, Land, Water and Conservation Division, reviewed rainfall totals, precipitation percentiles, streamflows, lake levels and ground-water monitoring wells around the state.
   2. Private Landowners Hunting Legacy Project
      Mrs. Cope and Derrell Shipes, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, gave the Board an update on the Private Landowners Hunting Legacy Pilot Project that will begin with the upcoming waterfowl season. There are currently eight landowners signed up to offer waterfowl hunts to the public this season.
      
10. Director's Briefings
    Director Taylor met with PRT Director Duane Parrish and staff to discuss outreach and partnership opportunities.
    
    Director Taylor met with State Forester Gene Kodama to discuss opportunities for a rifle range at Manchester State Forest.
    
    Director Taylor met with Secretary of DOT Robert St. Onge to discuss the permit process and I-73 project.
    
    Director Taylor accompanied Governor Haley on a tour of the Georgetown area decimated by fire.
    
    Director Taylor met with Mrs. Cope and staff to discuss the Rules and Regulations.
    
    Director Taylor attended the US Fish and Wildlife Service Stakeholder Meeting at Cape Romain and met with Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell.
11. Legislative Report
    Derrick Meggie, Director of Legislative Services, informed the Board that the Department is working on 2014 legislation based on proposal distributed at the last meeting. Mr. Meggie informed the Board of the House and Senate prefile dates.
12. Environmental Report
    Mr. Carmichael highlighted the following proposed projects, as contained in the environmental report in the Board meeting package: Haile Gold Mine project and the Keowee Toxaway Hydroelectric Project.
13. Deputy Directors' Reports
    1. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
       Mrs. Cope gave the Board a brief report on the recently held Blue Catfish meetings. Mrs. Cope distributed and reviewed the 2013 Bear Season Summary.
    2. Law Enforcement
       Col. Chisolm Frampton, Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, gave the Board an update on hiring and promotions. Col. Frampton announced that Jamie Landrum has been promoted to Major for Regions 1 and 3.
    3. Marine Resources
       Mr. Boyles gave the Board an update on the shrimp and oyster fishery and the effects of the rainfall.
    4. Outreach and Support Services
       Don Winslow, Deputy Director for Outreach and Support Services, gave the Board an update on the implementation of the new licensing system and the progress of the mobile app.
    5. Land, Water and Conservation
       Mr. Rentiers gave the Board a brief update on the Georgetown fire and water planning progress.
14. Executive Session
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion for the Board to hold an Executive Session to discuss personnel, legal and contractual matters. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
15. Open Session
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board return to regular session, noting that no actions were taken during Executive Session. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Board approve the following conservation district commissioner appointments/reappointments, as recommended by the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Reappointments: Thomas E. Garrison, Anderson; Barry H. Jurs, Berkeley; Jefferson H. Wilson, Chester; Theron L. Dewitt, Darlington; Charles H. Coleman, Fairfield; William G. Henderson, Greenwood; Joe H. Ghent, Lancaster; Robert A. Boyce, Lee; Dwight E. Davis, Lexington; and Thomas A. O'Neal, Marlboro
    
    Appointments: David B. Owens, Marion and Samuel S. Williamson, Williamsburg
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board give final approval for SC DNR to accept the donation of the Carter Stilley tract for dedication as a SC Heritage preserve, subject to the SC DNR staff completing all necessary due diligence and the completion of the required Memorandum of Understanding with the Corps of Engineers. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Lowe made a motion that the legislature be asked to repeal Section 48-9-230 which created the Land Resources Advisors since this group has never met or functioned. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Yonce made a motion that because the Waterfowl Advisory Committee has successfully completed all their tasks as assigned by the DNR Board subsequent to their establishment on September 19, 2003. Move that the DNR Board hereby recognize and thank each member of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee for their outstanding service to the waterfowl resources of South Carolina and that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee be abolished effective March 1 and all duties and responsibilities of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee be transferred to the Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mrs. Rhodes made a motion that the Chairman send a letter (to be drafted) by January 1, 2014 notifying the members of the (1) Land, Water, and Conservation Advisory Committee; (2) Law Enforcement; (3) Marine; and (4) Wildlife & Freshwater Advisory Committees of the DNR Board's interest in reviewing the make-up and function of these advisory committees and its intent to standardize the operations of these DNR advisory committees, by June 30, 2014. The letter should thank the members for their service to the agency and ask them to indicate their interest in being reappointed pursuant to Section 1-30-10 of the SC Code. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Chastain made a motion that the Board establish a policy that persons appointed after June 30, 2014 to the Land, Water, and Conservation Advisory Committee; Law Enforcement; Marine; and Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committees serve a term of three/ four years except the initial appointments will be for terms of one, two or three years as determined by the Board. Further, members may serve no more than two consecutive terms and that appointees serve at the pleasure of the Board and further, candidates for appointment are subject to background checks. Mr. Yonce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Hutchins made a motion that the Board establish a policy that committees be standardized in number to approximately ten members beginning June 30, 2014. Mr. McFadden seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. Pulliam made a motion that the Board establish a policy that persons appointed to advisory committees may only serve on one advisory committee at a time. Mrs. Rhodes seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
    
    Mr. McFadden made a motion that the Board establish a policy that all Board appointed members of advisory committees must attend at least 75% of all meetings unless excused by the Chair and that advisory committee members support the public positions of the Board and the Department on all matters. Mr. Hutchins seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
16. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
    The time and location of the next meeting will be determined at a later date.
    
17. Adjournment
    There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.

The SCDNR Board Minutes for November 21, 2013 (PDF), have been provided in the Adobe PDF file format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open the above file and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.