Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC
Wednesday, April 28, 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 Wednesday,
April 28, 2004, 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 Mike McShane presided at the
meeting. Board members present included
Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, Karen Floyd and Smith Ragsdale. Board member John Evans was absent. 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 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane introduced newly appointed Board Member, Karen K. Floyd.
Chairman McShane asked Rev.
Eric Skidmore to offer the invocation.
Mr. Chamblee introduced
Angela Viney, SC Wildlife Federation; Caroline Pinckney, Senate Fish, Game and
Forestry Committee; Ron Kenyan, Chaplaincy Program; Dean Moss, Land, Water and
Conservation Advisory Committee; a representative from Buck Shot Magazine; and
a Joey Holleman, The State newspaper.
IV. Constituent Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
Mr. McShane asked if there
were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the March 26, 2004, or the
March 29, 2004 meetings. Mr. Davis
made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 26, 2004 meeting as submitted
and amend the minutes of the March 29, 2004 meeting as follows:
Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC
Friday Monday, March 29, 2004
3:00 p.m.
Mr. Campbell seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VI. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton introduced Randy Mahan and Steve Summer, with SCE&G. Mr. Frampton and Val Nash both offered comments and thanks to SCE&G for their participation in the trout stocking program. Mr. Frampton then presented a plaque to Mr. Mahan and Mr. Summer in recognition of SCE&G’s donation to the trout stocking program.
Mr. Frampton commended all DNR staff, especially Mary Pugh and Dave Bruner, for their effort in making the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic such a success. Members of the Board also expressed their appreciation to staff.
Carole Collins then read an email from a teacher in Darlington expressing her appreciation to the Department and the magazine for making the Young Outdoor Writers’ essay contest possible.
Mr. Frampton commended staff for the March of Dimes Hula Day event. The Hula for Healthy Babies and contributions for employees walking in the March of Dimes Walk raised over $1,400, exceeding the goal of $1,000. The Team Captains were BeBe Harrison and Denise Froehle and division leaders were Nancy Caughman, Executive Office; Brian Long, Administrative Services; Lynn Quattro, Land Water and Conservation; Wade Bales, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries; and Jessica Clements, Law Enforcement.
VII. Director’s Briefings
Mr. Frampton reviewed the
budget proposals from both the House and Senate. Mr. Frampton then informed the
Board that he would like to have further discussion in executive session. Mr. Ragsdale expressed his thanks to the
conservation groups, Chairman McShane and Vice Chairman Campbell for their
efforts with the budget.
Mr. Frampton then announced
to the Board that Bonneau Ferry Project has been ranked first in the Atlantic
Coast Joint Venture NAWCA Ranking.
Mr. Frampton informed the
Board that the Department will be hosting the SEAFWA Directors’ Spring Meeting
in Columbia, April 30 – May 2 and invited them to attend any or all of the
activities.
Chairman McShane reminded
the Board that the Bonneau Ferry dedication will be held on June 4.
Mr. Chamblee thanked Angela
Viney, SC Wildlife Federation, for her efforts regarding the Department’s
budget and Senator Gregory for his support.
VIII. Advisory Committee Reports
A. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Mr. Davis reported that the
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee met on April 15 in
Bonneau. The Advisory Committee toured
the fish lift and received updates on Bonneau Ferry and the budget. Mr. Davis announced the appointment of three
new members to the Advisory Committee, John C. Troutman, D.
Paulling Bennett, and William H. Hoole, Jr.
B. Land,
Water and Conservation
Freddy Vang reported that
the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory Committee received a report from the
Abbeville Conservation District. Mr.
Vang informed the Board that the Advisory Committee received a presentation on the
saltwater intrusion problem at Hilton Head and requested that this presentation
be on the agenda at a future Board meeting.
Mr. Vang read the following motion from the Advisory Committee regarding
the saltwater intrusion problem:
Salt Water Intrusion Motion made by Mr. Dean
Moss: First, this Committee is
greatly concerned about the saltwater intrusion situation on Hilton Head
Island. Second, this Committee encourages the Department of Natural Resources'
Board and the DNR to continue to support the Department of Health and
Environmental Control's efforts to define the problem accurately and to proceed
with all deliberate speed to develop a strategy to address this problem. Third,
that in the discussions to be held with Georgia on water matters that this
issue be considered a critical part of that agenda and such discussions should
include recognition that South Carolina suffered damages and those damages need
to be recognized and compensated. Also, that the members of this Committee be
authorized to make presentations to the DNR Board at their May 21, 2004,
meeting. Dr.
John Dean seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The Advisory Committee
received a climate update, noting that the month of March is the driest on
record and April will be drier than normal.
C. Waterfowl
Mr.
Ragsdale reported that the Waterfowl Advisory Committee met on April 21 in
Columbia. Mr. Ragsdale noted that the
Advisory Committee had discussions on methods for taking the mid-winter
survey. Mr. Ragsdale informed the Board
that to date $41,000 has been raised for the wood duck box project, the goal is
$2.1 million. Mr. Ragsdale also noted
that Bob Perry will assist in getting bids for supplies for the boxes. The Advisory Committee received a report on
aquatic weeds. Mr. Ragsdale stated that
the Oversight Committee studying South Island has submitted their
recommendations to Bob Joyner for his review and response. Mr. Ragsdale reported that discussions regarding
regulations will continue, as the Committee has reached no agreed upon
recommendations yet. Mr. Ragsdale
stated that the Advisory Committee is discussing the possibility of
recommending a fee increase for the State Duck Stamp.
IX. Items for Board
Information
A. DNR Forest
Management Plan
Tim Ivey reviewed the steps and process in the development of forest management plans on DNR properties. Mr. Ivey reported that a management plan defines the essential character and management objectives of a particular parcel and within a forest management plan there is an additional step of woodland inventory, by compartment and stands. Mr. Ivey also reviewed the timber harvest summary which included harvest costs, timber revenue and future harvest potentials.
B. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Plan for Lewis Ocean Bay
As a contractual matter, this item will be discussed in executive session.
X. Deputy Directors’
Reports
1. Marine
Robert Boyles thanked Law
Enforcement and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries staff for their assistance in
the recent situation with crab pots and leatherback sea turtles. Mr. Boyles reported that the commercial
shrimp season may need to open prior to the next Board meeting. If this is the case, Board members will be
informed via telephone. Mr. Davis
made a motion to accept staff recommendation on the opening of the commercial
shrimp season based on sampling data and to notify Board members by
telephone. Mr. Ragsdale seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Boyles informed the Board that they have received the Ocean
Commission report and staff will be working on recommendations for Governor
Sanford’s response.
2. Land, Water and
Conservation
Freddy Vang reported that
while geologists were mapping in the Jocassee area rock samples were found on
Wadakoe Mountain that contain limestone.
This indicates the presence of ancient seas in that part of the State,
which explains the unique plant life found in the area. Mr. Vang distributed copies two new
publications available from his
division; the Floodplain Management in South Carolina Quick Guide and
the Ground-Water Resources of Lee County, South Carolina. Mr. Vang also reported that in early April,
the River conservation staff took the DHEC watershed managers on a canoe trip
on the Congaree River. This was a very
congenial outing and was made at the request of the DHEC staff.
3. Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
Billy McTeer gave the Board a brief Teaming with Wildlife update. Mr. McTeer noted that he would like to present the 2004 licensed angler survey at a later date. Mr. McTeer distributed copies of the revised alligator protocol and noted that it will be operational on Monday.
4. Law Enforcement
Col. Wright reported that BUI training sessions have been held in all four regions. Col. Wright informed the Board of the upcoming Zero Tolerance for Litter Weekend. Col. Wright reviewed the monthly case activities for the Law Enforcement Division.
5. Administrative
Services and Conservation Education and Communications
Carole Collins gave the Board an update on the magazine. Ms. Collins reported that license sales dollar amount has increased over this time last year. Ms. Collins informed the Board that the next ETV show will broadcast May 8, at 6:00 pm.
XI. Director’s Briefings
A. Legislative
Report
Derrick Meggie highlighted the following bills: Summons Authority, ATV’s, and Ocean Shad. Mr. Meggie also noted that there has been a $1 fee proposed for all license transactions to pay for Point of Sale IT costs.
B. Habitat Task Force
Barry Beasley reported work is underway to provide the information contained in the department property database, i.e., agency lands, boat ramps, seasons, etc., that can be placed on the web and this information can be used as a management tool.
Chairman McShane expressed his appreciation to Hank Stallworth, Freddy Vang and other staff for their efforts on the Water Law Review Committee.
XII. Board Member Comments
Mr. Davis thanked Chairman McShane and Vice Chairman Campbell for their budget work and welcomed newly appoint Board Member Karen Floyd.
Chairman McShane also welcomed Ms. Floyd to the Board.
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
Chairman McShane asked that staff proceed with exploring with the Budget and Control Board the possibility of incorporating certain navigable waterways in the lowcountry into a WMA program.
Mr. Campbell made a motion
to accept a conservation easement on property located in the Camden area and to
dedicate the property under the Heritage Trust. Further, acquisition costs of up to $2000 may be paid from the
Heritage Land Trust Fund. Mr. Ragsdale
seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Davis made a motion that
the Department move forward with the replacement of the South Island Ferry with
costs to be paid by the Yawkey Foundation and revenue from timber sales, with
DOT continuing the management of the operation. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried with Mr.
Ragsdale voting against the motion.
Mr. Davis made a motion
that the Department move forward in pursuing a contract to introduce two
colonies of RCW’s on Lewis Ocean Bay with all the necessary language to be
drafted in a letter of intent. Mr.
Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried with Mr. Ragsdale
abstaining from discussion and vote.
Mr. Ragsdale made a motion
that the Board accept the recommendations of the Land, Water and Conservation
Advisory Committee of the conservation district commissioner
appointments/reappointments with the exception of the commissioner emeritus,
because it is felt that it is not within the Board’s purview. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously. The Board
expressed concerns that the commissioner emeritus position is more
appropriately an appointment of the Land, Water and Conservation Advisory
Committee.
XV. Time and Location of the
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the DNR
Board will be held Friday, May 21, 2004, in Spartanburg.
XVI. Adjournment
There being no further
business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was
adjourned.