Minutes

Board of the Department of Natural Resources

Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335

Columbia, SC

Friday, May 16, 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, May 16, 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 Dr. Joab M. Lesesne presided at the meeting.  Board members present included Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday, Jr., and Malloy McEachin.  Vice Chairman Leary and Board Member Rucker were absent from the meeting.  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 Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

II.  Meditation

Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation. 

 

III.  Introduction of Guests

        Cary Chamblee introduced Angela Viney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation; Marge Davenport, USGS; Joey Holleman, The State newspaper; and Dick Watkins, SC Wildlife Federation volunteer.

 

IV.   Approval of Minutes

Chairman Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the April 25, 2003 meeting.  There being no corrections or additions, the Board approved the minutes of the April 25, 2003 meeting as submitted. 

 

V. Presentations/Commendations

Mr. Frampton commended the Division Employee of the Year recipients recently recognized at the Department’s State Service Pin/Employee of the Year ceremony.  The recipients were Kevin Kolb, Administrative Services; Dan Dobbins, Executive; Mary Pugh, CEC; Von Snelgrove, Land, Water and Conservation; Harley Caudill, Law Enforcement; Mary Ellen Williams, Marine; and Isaac White, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.  Von Snelgrove was also awarded the 2002 Department Employee of the Year.

 

Mr. Frampton congratulated Van McCarty on his recent promotion to Lt. Colonel in the National Guard.

 

VI. Advisory Committee Reports

A. Marine

Mr. Gregg reported that the marine Advisory Committee met on May 8, 2003, at the Marine Resources Center.  Mr. Gregg stated that the Advisory Committee received updates on Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Blue Crab.    Mr. Gregg also noted that there will be an action item regarding the Shrimp Trawl Season later in the meeting.

 

            B. Law Enforcement

Due to Dr. Leary’s absence, Col. Wright reported on the recent Law Enforcement Advisory Committee meeting.  Col. Wright stated that the law Enforcement Advisory Committee met on May 14, 2003, at the Blue Heron Learning Center in Ridgeland.  The Advisory Committee received comments from Mr. Petey Davis of the SC Crabber’s Association.  Mr. Davis discussed issues relating to Crab pots and point system assessments.  Col. Wright informed the Advisory Committee on the following Law Enforcement activities:  plane crash, recent Southeastern Chief’s meeting, budget, Homeland Security, media activities and case activities.  Maj. McCarty briefed the Advisory Committee on the new CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) program.  Lt. Walters provided the Advisory Committee with a legislative update and Capt. Baxter gave an activity report for District 4.

     

            C. Heritage Trust

Mr. McEachin reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board met May 1, 2003.  The Advisory Board had no action items but discussed Lewis Ocean Bay annexation, issues with Jocassee Gorges, and various management plans.  Tom Kohlsaat informed the Board that the Advisory Board also discussed budget issues.

 

    VII. Item for Board Information

            Ashley Scenic River Management Plan

Bill Marshall, with the Land, Water and Conservation Division, gave the Board a brief presentation on the management plan.  Mr. Marshall reviewed the history of the Ashley Scenic River Project, discussed why the Ashley River was designated as a scenic river and summarized the planned goals and recommendations that were produced by the advisory council.    Mr. Marshall also noted that private funds paid for publishing the plan.

 

   VIII. Item for Board Action

      A. 2003 Shrimp Trawl Season

           John Miglarese requested that the Board authorize the Marine Division to: (1) open the 2003 Spring commercial shrimp trawling season on or after May 15, 2003, based upon sampling data and following notification of the DNR Board by telephone, and (2) adjust the season on brown shrimp on short notice should large quantities of small brown shrimp be found.  Mr. Gregg made a motion to this effect.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Holliday and the motion carried unanimously.

 

  IX. Director’s Briefings

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that James O. Thomason, Chairman of the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, recently had surgery to fuse six vertebra in his back.  He has suffered some complications from the surgery and is back in the hospital in Charlotte.

 

Mr. Frampton informed the Board of the unexpected death of Dan Dobbins’ brother, Paul Dobbins.  Mr. Frampton noted that Paul had volunteered at the Palmetto Sportsmens’ Classic and other department events.

 

Mr. Frampton updated the board on the Hollingsworth Land Closing. 

 

Mr. Frampton reported that Cary Chamblee represented the Department at Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s opening of Jocassee Gorges Passage of the Table Rock State Park.

 

Mr. Frampton noted that Mr. Chamblee also represented the Department at the Governor’s Tabletop Exercise for hurricane season held at the State Emergency Operations Center.

 

Mr. Frampton stated that Mr. Chamblee and Lt. Robert McCullough represented the Department at the Executive Level Homeland Security Briefing and a meeting of the Counter Terrorism Coordinating Council.

 

Mr. Frampton attended the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Spring directors’ Meeting in Montgomery, Alabama.

 

Mr. Frampton met with several NGO’s, The Conservation Fund, Trust for Public Land, SC Wildlife Federation during the month on land protection.

 

Mr. Frampton will be traveling to Baltimore to attend the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture NAWCA Ranking meeting on May 20 and will also meet with Congressional Delegation staff members in Washington.

 

Mr. Frampton informed the Board that on May 27, he will meet with staff of the CEC and Administrative Services Divisions in the morning and the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Biologists in the afternoon.  He explained that he is trying to meet with staff across the agency to update them on the budget and answer questions.

 

Mr. Frampton has met with the Governor’s staff regarding the reinstatement of the Governor’s Water law Review Committee.

 

Legislative Report

Derrick Meggie reviewed the legislative status report as of May 16, 2003.

 

Habitat Task Force

            Barry Beasley reported that the Habitat Task Force met in early May.  They discussed several projects and began compiling a list of all properties and easements that the Department holds.  This task force is also developing a conservation easement policy for the Department.

 

   X. Executive Session

            At this time Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.

 

  XI. Return to Regular Session

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

 

The Board discussed no items in Executive Session that required action. 

 

XII. Deputy Directors’ Reports

            1. Law Enforcement

               Col. Wright updated the Board on the month’s activities.

 

            2. Land, Water and Conservation

Freddy Vang reminded the Board that the 2003 SC Aquatic Plant Management Plan and the 2003 Lynches River Festival information had been previously distributed.

 

            3. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

                  No further report.

 

            4. CEC and Administrative Services

Carole Collins reported that the BOW workshop will be held this weekend and some upcoming events are Fishing 101 and Ladies on the Lake.  Ms. Collins reported that the Multipurpose License Renewal is currently being mailed.

 

            5.    Marine

                  No further report.

 

XIII. Time and Location of the Next Meeting

Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, June 20, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

 

XIV. Adjournment

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