Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

John and Holly Self Drummond Education and Conference Center

Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area

302 State Park Road, Ninety Six, SC

Friday, January 16, 2004

10:00 a.m.

 

 

The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 10:00 am, on Friday, January 16, 2004, at the John and Holly Self Drummond Education and Conference Center, Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area, Ninety Six, 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, John Evans, and Smith Ragsdale.  Mr. John Frampton and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.

 

    I. Call to Order

                  Chairman McShane called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

   II. Meditation

Chairman McShane asked for a moment of silence.

 

  III. Introduction of Guests

       Mr. Chamblee introduced Jason Zacker, Greenville News; Noel Hurley, USGS; Terry LeCroy, NWTF; Stanley Smith, Lt. Col. Retired; Joey Holleman, The State; Billy Hoole, NWTF County Banquet Chairman; and Phil Lucas.

 

  IV. Constituent Comment

            Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that Greg Henderson, Chairman of the Greenwood Conservation District, requested to speak to the Board.  Mr. Henderson informed the Board of two projects the Greenwood Conservation District has been assisting PRT with at the Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area.

 

            Chairman McShane introduced newly appointed Board Member John Evans.  Mr. Evans has been appointed to fill the seat for the Sixth Congressional District.

 

   V. Approval of Minutes

        Mr. McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the December 11, 2003, meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board approve the minutes of the December 11, 2003, meeting as submitted.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  VI. Presentations/Commendations

Mr. Frampton thanked Phil Gaines and David Drake of PRT, for graciously waiving the fee and allowing the Board to use the meeting place.

 

VII. Advisory Committee Reports

A. Land, Water and Conservation

Mr. Vang reported that the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee approved the State Water Plan, which will be presented to the Board at this meeting.  The Advisory Committee received a report from Hope Mizzell on the long-term weather outlook.  The Advisory Committee went through a review of the results of a questionnaire sent to conservation districts; results of this questionnaire will be presented to the Board.

 

            B. Law Enforcement

Mr. Campbell reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Take One Make One program.  Mr. Campbell commended Law Enforcement for their involvement and work during such trying economic times.  Mr. Campbell recognized Capt. Glenn Ward for his efforts in the recent rescue of a three-year-old child who was separated from his father in Charleston County.  Mr. Campbell reported that the nuisance alligator report has been forwarded to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee.  Mr. Burk Watson, a new committee member, was present at yesterday’s meeting.

 

VIII. Item for Board Information

      A. South Carolina Wildlife Magazine

           Carole Collins reviewed the history of funding for SCW, including the fact that it was fully funded by state dollars until the 93-94 Appropriations Act Proviso 24.4 was passed.   In September 1997, LAC Audit stated that while salaries could continue to be supported with state appropriations, earned revenue should gradually support other operating costs.  Ms. Collins stated she felt that the Magazine should be able to run without state appropriated funds by the end of this fiscal year.

 

           Chairman McShane noted that for the record the subscription price for the magazine is $10/year or $25/3-years.  The last price increase was effective in 1989.  Chairman McShane stated that one particular item he has an interest in is the fact that the magazine no longer gets to either public or private schools.  Chairman McShane reported that Ms. Collins has informed Board Members of the cost to put the Magazine into the library of every school.  Chairman McShane informed Ms. Collins that there has been a two-year commitment made from two anonymous Board Members to provide the funds to get the Magazine into every public/private school in South Carolina.

 

           Ms. Linda Renshaw, Editor, South Carolina Wildlife Magazine, reviewed the steps in the production of one issue of the Magazine.

 

  IX. Items for Board Action

            A. State Water Plan

           Bud Badr reviewed the changes from the 1998 Water Plan to the currently proposed Water Plan.  After Mr. Badr’s reviewed the revisions and answered questions, Mr. Campbell made a motion that the State Water Plan be approved as presented.  Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.       

 

      B. Final WMA and Chronic Wasting Disease Regulations

           Mr. Ivey informed the Board that the proposed final WMA and CWD regulations are identical to the proposed emergency regulations adopted in November and December.  Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board approve the Final WMA and CWD regulations as presented.  Mr. Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

   X. Director’s Briefings

Mr. Frampton responded to Mr. Ragsdale’s question from the last meeting regarding T-Shot.

 

Mr. Frampton distributed copies of the 2005 Federal Appropriations budget request.

 

Mr. Chamblee reported to the Board that in December the Harry Hampton Board awarded DNR $100,000 for education and special projects.

 

Mr. Frampton represented DNR at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting held on December 15-18 in New York.

 

Mr. Frampton attended the SC Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s meeting at Hickory Knob State Park on January 2-5.

 

Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that the legislative reception is planned for January 20 at the State Museum.

 

A. Legislative Report

Derrick Meggie referred to the Governor’s proposed budget and Senator McConnell’s bill proposing a DENR.  Mr. Meggie distributed and reviewed the weekly legislative update.  Mr. Meggie informed the Board that this report will be sent via email every Friday afternoon or Monday morning.

 

B. Habitat Task Force

           Barry Beasley reported on conservation easements and an easement policy.  Mr. Beasley stated that the Habitat Task Force hopes to have a proposed policy in February.

 

  XI. Deputy Directors’ Reports

            1. CEC and Administrative Services

Chairman McShane informed Ms. Collins that the commitment for placing SCW Magazine in schools has been increased to three years.

 

Ms. Collins informed the Board that the next South Carolina Wildlife TV show will be aired February 14 at 6:00 pm.  Ms. Collins also reported that license sales are increasing over last year.

 

            2. Marine

Robert Boyles reported that the Marine Division hosted Congressman Wilson and staff at the Waddell Center to discuss private/public partnerships.  Mr. Boyles informed the Board that the first documented case of a Lion Fish in South Carolina was caught off the coast of Georgetown in December.  Mr. Boyles noted that shrimp trawling season is completely closed as of today.

 

            3. Land, Water and Conservation

Mr. Vang reported that the University of South Carolina is in the process of planning for the future.  They will have five areas of excellence, which will be used for their funding; one area is the environment.  Mr. Vang distributed the SC Geologic Survey’s Academic Review, a peer reviewed journal.  Mr. Vang also had state watershed maps for distribution.

 

            4. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Billy McTeer reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee will be making recommendations on the Law Enforcement report on alligators.  Mr. McTeer stated that the Forestry Commission has been contacted about burning exemptions on Safe Harbor projects.  Mr. McTeer noted that today is the final day of the mid-winter waterfowl survey.

 

            5. Law Enforcement

Col. Wright reported that interviews for the Lt. Col. Position have been completed and an announcement should be made soon.  The Law Enforcement Division has posted a hunter education position.  Col. Wright noted the efforts for this year’s waterfowl season.  Col. Wright then reviewed the monthly activities for the Law Enforcement Division. 

 

XII. Special Presentation

      Chairman McShane read a Resolution of the DNR Board establishing the John W. Drummond Conservation Award.  Chairman McShane then read a Resolution of the DNR Board naming Senator John W. Drummond as the first recipient of the John W. Drummond Conservation Award.

 

      Senator Drummond made comments, thanked the Board for the award and praised DNR for their long record of excellent service in South Carolina.

 

XIII. Executive Session

            At this time Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.  Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

XIV. Return to Regular Session

The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.

 

            There were no items discussed in executive session that require action.

 

XV. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The next meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Marine Resources Division Auditorium, Charleston, SC.

 

The March meeting of the DNR Board will be held Friday, March 26, 2004, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, SC.

 

XVI. Adjournment

There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.