Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, South Carolina

April 15, 2005 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, April 15, 2005, in room 335 of 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 Stephen Davis, John Evans, Karen Floyd and Frank Murray. Board members Michael Campbell and Smith Ragsdale were absent. 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 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

II. Invocation

Chairman McShane asked Rev. Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.

III. Pledge of Allegiance

Buford Mabry led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. Introduction of Guests

Cary Chamblee informed the Board that there are no guest or constituents requesting to make comments.

V. Approval of Minutes

Chairman McShane offered the following correction to the minutes of the March 11, 2005 meeting.

Mr. Chamblee introduced Buddy Jennings, SC Farm Bureau, Government Relations Director. Mr. Jennings informed the Board that the Wildlife Committee of SC Farm Bureau met and has concerns about is opposed to the restructuring of DNR as provided in the current version of S 80.

Mr. Evans made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 18, 2005 meeting as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

VI. Presentations/Commendations

Mr. Frampton commended John Cely (retired) and Charles Farmer. The South Carolina Breeding Bird Atlas 1988-1995 (John Cely) and Sharks of South Carolina (Charles Farmer) received two of ten Notable State Document Awards from the South Carolina State Library which yearly recognizes state government publications of outstanding merit and usefulness to the citizens of South Carolina.

Mr. Frampton commended Chris Judge for receiving the Archaeologist Stewardship Award from Archives and History for the Johannes Kolb Project.

Mr. Frampton recognized Jim Quinn for his efforts in stating the Department’s position to Dorchester County Council regarding a proposed County ordinance regulating road hunting.

VII. Advisory Committee Reports

A. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

Robert Boyles reported that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series Advisory Board met on March 17, in Charleston. Mr. Boyles stated that Secretary of Commerce, Bob Faith, is the newest member of the Advisory Board. Mr. Boyles reported that the Board had discussion about the nature and scope of the tournaments. There appears to be interest in revamping the Governor’s Cup Series to be a release only series. The Advisory Board unanimously passed a motion requesting the Tournament Committee develop a no kill billfish tournament series to begin in 2006. Mrs. Floyd made a motion that the Board affirm the Governor’s Cup policy on a no kill billfish tournament series. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Boyles noted that there was discussion about plans for the 2005 Governor’s Cup Banquet.

B. Marine

Johnny Evans reported that the Marine Advisory Committee met on March 18, in Bluffton. The Committee received a presentation from Phil Anderson on the Shellfish Management Activities and Issues. The Committee received a presentation on SEACAP (South Carolina Estuarine and Coastal Assessment Program) by Bob Van Dolah. Mr. Boyles distributed a copy of draft plan regarding future programs for the Marine Resources Division and asked Committee members to review this and get back to him with comments.

C. Law Enforcement

Col. Alvin Taylor reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met April 13, in Bluffton. The Committee received an overview of the Alligator Protocol presented by Dean Harrigal. The Committee received an in depth review of Law Enforcement activities of the last four months. Capt. Scott Powell made a presentation on the activities of Region 4.

VIII. Items for Board Information

Marketing Committee Briefing

Wade Bales reviewed the document entitled Development of a Long-Term Marketing Plan to Increase Revenue for the SC DNR, which was included with the Board package.

IX. Items for Board Action

Proposed Changes to the State Endangered Species List

Breck Carmichael explained the nature of this proposal to the Board. The requests are to remove the eastern indigo snake, change the name of the zigzag salamander to Webster’s salamander, to change the reporting time for permits for spotted turtle from annual to every five years and to add the southern hognose snake to the list of species in need of management. Mr. Evans made a motion that the proposed changes to the State Endangered Species List be approved as presented. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

X. Director’s Briefing

Mr. Frampton distributed copies of a letter from Governor Sanford and a letter from Burnie Maybank to Senator Charles Grassley, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, US Senate, on the proposal to reduce or eliminate the federal income tax deduction for donation of conservation easements.

Mr. Frampton mentioned to the Board that he is very concerned about the rising price of gasoline and the impact on the Department’s budget.

Mr. Frampton stated that there has recently been some discussion relative to Crescent selling land in the Catawba-Wateree system. Mr. Frampton distributed copies of a letter he is planning to send the president of Duke Energy concerning the FERC relicensing process and the protection of important habitats.

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that an Envisioning Committee has been formed and given the task to create a one to one and one half page document that states the vision, mission and strategy, that can be understood by all staff, outlining where the agency is heading. Mr. Frampton stated that this process will be completed and a second team will be formed to review and comment. After the final draft is complete he will travel to meetings around the state to discuss this document with staff.

Mr. Frampton reminded the Board that their 2005 Statement of Economic Interests forms are due today.

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that on May 11, John Paul Woodley, Assistant Secretary of the Army, will tour the ACE Basin.

Mr. Frampton also informed the Board that on May 16, there will be a dedication of the ACE Basin Refuge changing the name to the Ernest F. Hollings National Wildlife Refuge in the ACE Basin.

Legislation

Derrick Meggie reported that most of the legislation that started in the Senate has crossed over to the House. Mr. Meggie then updated the Board on ATV legislation and Red Drum legislation.

XI. Deputy Directors’ Reports

A. Law Enforcement

Col. Taylor reported on the turkey hunting enforcement activities. Col. Taylor briefed the Board on an Assault on a DNR Law Enforcement Officer in Williamsburg County. Col. Taylor gave the Board an update on the Law Enforcement field structure. Col. Taylor informed the Board that the Law Enforcement Division is anticipating their centennial celebration in 2006. The Division is proposing a replica of the first badge worn by officers, with minor changes. They are seeking outside support for the purchase of these badges. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board support the Law Enforcement Division’s concept of the centennial badge. Mr. Murray seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

B. Outreach and Support Services

Carole Collins reported that license sales are still down by approximately 3%, or about $250,000, from last year. Ms. Collins provided the Board with a recap of the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic.

C. Marine

Robert Boyles distributed copies of the new publication Saltwater Fish ID Guide. Mr. Boyles reported that they have been able to secure funding for enhancements for adult red drum monitoring. Mr. Boyles shared with the Board some thoughts and ideas about artificial reef protocol particularly private support and potential “naming rights”.

Chairman McShane shared with the Board that he has received a letter from Sam Hiott, Chairman of the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, requesting the Board to name a reef and they have volunteered to raise $25,000 for this purpose. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board accept the request from Sam Hiott, based on their ability to raise $25,000, to rename Ten Mile Reef the Bruce Rush Ten Mile Reef and direct staff to come back with a program for Board approval on future reef opportunities. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

D. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang gave the Board a brief report on the field trip to Fig Island. Mr. Vang informed the Board that Mary Crockett guided Governor Sanford and his family down a segment of the North Fork of the Edisto. Mr. Vang also reported that the 2005 Weather Calendars were delivered this week to the Department of Education for distribution to teachers, primarily science teachers, across the state.

E. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Breck Carmichael presented the final results for the feral hog removal hunts at North Island.

Chairman McShane informed the Board that Mr. Hugh C. Lane, Sr. passed away. Chairman McShane requested that the magazine publish a small reflection of his career in conservation and that a Board Resolution be drafted for presentation to his family.

XII. Executive Session

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

XIII. Return to Regular Session

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

Mr. Davis made a motion to approve staff to move forward with preliminary plans to purchase tracts of land in Lancaster County. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Evans made a motion that DNR move forward with negotiations to acquire property in Lexington through the Heritage Trust Program. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Floyd made a motion that DNR move forward with negotiations to secure an in-holding at Jocassee Gorges. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

XIV. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

The May Board meeting will be held on Friday, May 20, 2005, in Columbia.

The June Board meeting will be held on Friday, June 17, 2005.

XV. Adjournment

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