Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
Columbia, SC
Friday, August 15, 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, August 15, 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 McShane presided at the
meeting. Board members present included
Michael Campbell, Stephen Davis, Malloy McEachin and Smith Ragsdale. Board Members absent were Joab Lesesne, Jr.
and Dr. Douglas Rucker. 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 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
Chairman
McShane recognized Board Member T. Smith Ragsdale and welcomed him to his first
meeting.
Chairman
McShane asked for a moment of silent meditation.
Mr. Chamblee introduced Joey Holleman, The State newspaper;
Eric Skidmore, SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program; and Angela Viney, SC
Wildlife Federation.
Mr. McShane asked if there were any corrections or additions
to the minutes of the July 18, 2003 meeting.
There being no corrections or additions, Mr. Campbell made a motion
that the Board approve the minutes of the July 18, 2003 meeting as
submitted. Mr. Davis seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
V. Presentations/Commendations
Mr.
Frampton welcomed Carole Collins back from maternity leave.
Mr.
Frampton commended Caroline Foster on her graduation from the Governor’s EXCEL
Leadership Institute program sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Budget
and Control Board.
Mr.
Frampton announced that South Carolina Wildlife magazine received 2nd
place in annual awards competition conducted by the Association for
Conservation Information (ACI).
Mr.
Frampton referred to an article on Jocassee Gorges in the August/September
issue of National Wildlife Federation magazine.
VI. Advisory
Committee Reports
A. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Billy
McTeer reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee
discussed and took action on the late season migratory bird season
recommendations. The advisory committee
also discussed changes in freshwater fisheries section and mourning dove
banding studies. The advisory committee
was also shown the budget briefing as presented to Governor Sanford on July
30. Mr. McTeer also reminded the Board
that National Hunting and Fishing Day will be held September 27.
B. Heritage
Trust
Mr.
McEachin reported that the Heritage Trust Advisory Board had a discussion about
trying to locate sites to protect the Great Pee Dee River. The Cultural Areas Committee of the Heritage
Trust Advisory Board had a discussion about the use of GIS system and mapping
to identify cultural sites.
C. Governor’s
Cup Billfishing Series
Robert
Boyles reminded the Board that the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series banquet
will be held on August 16, in conjunction with the Harry Hampton Memorial
Wildlife Fund banquet.
VII. Items
for Board Action
A. Broad
Scenic River Management Plan
Mary Crockett
provided the Board with a general, brief overview of the Scenic River
Program. Ms. Crockett then reviewed
several recommendations of the Broad Scenic River Management Plan Update. Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board
approve the Broad Scenic River Management Plan as presented. Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
B. 2003-2004
Migratory Bird Hunting Late Season Recommendations
Tommy Strange reviewed the season
framework and recommendations for the 2003-04 waterfowl season for South
Carolina. Mr. Ragsdale made a motion
that the Board approve the 50-day season with a 6 bird bag as recommended by
the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee. Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
C. Emergency
Regulations
Tim Ivey reviewed the proposed
emergency regulations for Santee State Park WMA, Croft State Park WMA and
General Hunting in Wildlife Management Areas Regulations and Wildlife
Management Area Public Dove Fields 2003-04 with the Board. Mr. Davis made a motion that the Board
approve the emergency regulations as proposed.
Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Charles Ruth reviewed the proposed
emergency regulation for the restriction on the importation of the whole
carvass or carcass parts of cervids from a state or province with a documented
occurrence of CWD. Mr. McEachin made
a motion that the Board approve the emergency regulation as proposed. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Ivey asked that the Board
consider an amendment to the Santee State Park WMA and Croft State Park WMA
emergency regulations that were just approved.
The amendment is that all hunters must report to the checkpoint to
check-in and exchange present their hunting license for a daily
permit. Mr. McEachin made a motion
that the Board approve this amendment.
Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Myrtle Beach State Park Management
Plan
Stuart Greeter provided a general,
brief overview of the Heritage Trust Program.
Mr. Greeter and Mike Foley, SCPRT, reviewed the proposed Myrtle Beach
State Park Management Plan. Mr.
McEachin made a motion that the Board approve the Myrtle Beach State Park
Management Plan as presented. Mr.
Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
E. Request to Use DNR Property for
Monitoring Wells (Marlboro and Pickens Counties)
Paul League reviewed two requests to
use DNR lands for monitoring wells in Pickens and Marlboro Counties. Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board
approve the requests as presented. Mr.
Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VIII. Director’s Briefings
Mr.
Frampton participated in the USFWS Refuge Policy Task Force meeting in Port
Angeles, WA, on July 21-22.
Mr.
Frampton represented DNR at the Atlantic Flyway Council meeting on July 24-25.
Mr.
Frampton and Mr. Chamblee participated in a meeting on July 29, of the
Governor’s Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance (MAP)
Facilities and Capital Assets subcommittee to discuss DNR lands across the
State. They also participated in a
meeting on August 4 of the Agency Structure Subcommittee.
Mr.
Frampton and Mr. Chamblee participated in DNR’s Budget Hearing before Governor
Sanford and staff on July 30.
Mr.
Frampton met with key staff at the Marine Center on August 1 to discuss future
plans and learn more about the Marine Center and its activities. August 1 was John Miglarese’s last day as
Deputy Director.
Mr.
Frampton participated in a meeting of the USFWS Federal Aid Policy Task Force
in Missoula, Montana, on August 4-7.
Mr.
Frampton met with Chief Stewart and Fred Carter, of the Governor’s Office, on
August 11 to discuss aircraft.
Mr.
Frampton distributed copies of the Savannah River Lakes Private Land Ownership
Restoration Act and an AP article on the issue.
Legislative
Report
Derrick
Meggie reviewed pending legislation for the 2004 legislative session.
Habitat
Task Force
Barry Beasley informed the Board
that the Habitat Task Force is currently in the process of consolidating all
property records in one central location.
IX. Deputy Directors’ Reports
1. Law
Enforcement
Col.
Wright gave an overview of the last month’s activities and also gave a
presentation regarding the Department’s aircraft.
2. CEC
and Administrative Services
Carole
Collins reported that there will be a three day Becoming an Outdoorswoman
workshop next month. Ms. Collins stated
that the State Auditor’s Office just completed the 01-02 Procedures Audit and
for the second year in a row there were no exceptions.
3. Marine
Resources
Robert
Boyles reported that they have graduated seven minority interns. Mr. Boyles stated that they are working with
a group of interested individuals on a plan to limit entry in the blue crab
fishery. Mr. Boyles noted that the
ocean exploration cruise of the Charleston Bump, in conjunction with NOAA, has
just been completed.
4. Land,
Water and Conservation
Freddy
Vang reported that the water temperature in the Gulf Stream is above 87°. The predicted number of named storms between
now and the end of the season is 6-8.
Mr. Vang noted that the Corps of Engineers will reevaluate flood
insurance maps and procedures by which these maps calculate flood zones,
particularly from Beaufort to Charleston.
Mr. Vang also reported that they are in the process of relicensing the
dams in South Carolina.
5. Wildlife
and Freshwater Fisheries
Billy
McTeer introduced Sally Murphy of his division. Mr. McTeer informed the Board that meetings be held in the
Piedmont regarding deer issues.
X. Executive
Session
At this
time Mr. Campbell made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to
discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.
XI. Return
to Regular Session
Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board instruct
legal staff to begin appropriate legal action regarding the property loss of the
Aero Commander. Mr. Ragsdale seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Ragsdale made a motion that staff move forward on
a major land acquisition in the Lowcountry.
Mr. Davis seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Davis made a motion that staff proceed to explore
the acquisition of a major tract of property in the Piedmont. Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Campbell made a motion that staff draft a policy
to provide for background checks on appointments. Mr. McEachin seconded the motion and the motion carried
unanimously.
Chairman McShane announced new advisory committee chairs.
Mike Campbell – Law
Enforcement
Stephen Davis –
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Smith Ragsdale –
Marine Resources
XII. Time
and Location of the Next Meeting
The next
meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, September 19, 2003, at the
Rembert C. Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
XIII. Adjournment
There
being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the
meeting was adjourned.