Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC
Friday, September 17, 2004
9:00 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:00 am, on Friday,
September 17, 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, John Evans, Karen Floyd, Frank Murray and
Smith Ragsdale. 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 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman McShane asked Rev.
Ron Kenyon to offer the invocation.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Chairman Campbell led the group in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Cary Chamblee introduced
Noel Hurley, USGS. Mr. Hurley introduced Eric Strong and informed the group
that he will be replacing Marge Davenport as the District Chief. Mr. Chamblee then introduced Mark Robertson,
Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy.
V. Constituent Comment
Mr. Chamblee informed the Board that there were no requests for constituent comment.
Chairman McShane asked if
there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the August 20, 2004,
meeting. Mr. Davis made a motion to
accept the minutes of the August 20, 2004 meeting as presented. Mr. Evans seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
VII. Presentations/Commendations
Mr. Frampton presented a plaque to Elizabeth Mabry, Executive Director, SC DOT, in appreciation for DOT’s assistance with heavy equipment work at Mountain Lakes, Spring Stevens fish Hatchery, and a new boat ramp at the Lancaster Reservoir. An estimate of total cost savings to the DNR in heavy equipment work provided would exceed $350,000. Mrs. Mabry introduced Stan Bland, District Engineering Administrator in charge of the Districts where all the projects are located.
Chairman McShane presented the Board’s Meritorious Service Award to Ross Self, Wade Bales, Douglas Cooke, Richard Slack, Miller White, Jim Bulak and Val Nash for their service on the Priority Planning Committee and the development of a long-range plan for the Fisheries Section.
Mr. Frampton presented a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Tommy Eleazer in recognition of his 20 years of service on the Wildlife and Freshwater fisheries Advisory Committee.
Carole Collins commended Michael Foster and Phillip Jones, photographers for South Carolina Wildlife magazine, for the award they received from the Association for Conservation Information (ACI) for Special Achievement in the Photography Category for “The Nature of Jocassee” article.
VIII. Advisory Committee Reports
Marine
Mr. Evans reported that the
Marine Advisory Committee held a joint meeting with DHEC’s Coastal Zone
Management Appellate Panel on September 16, 2004, in Charleston. Mr. Evans stated that the group reviewed and
discussed the oyster assessment, DNR and DHEC’s shellfish management program
and it’s comparison with other states.
The group discussed the Marsh Islands Program, OCRM’s regulatory and
policy and DNR’s efforts to perform an ecological characterization of land
forms. The Upper Cooper River Special
Area Management Plan was discussed. The
group reviewed DHEC’s impoundments study.
The group received an update on abandoned vessels.
IX. Item for Board
Information
Mr. Frampton asked Breck Carmichael and Charles Ruth to give the Board an briefing on the Protocol for Flooding Situations. Mr. Ruth stated that 50-11-1105 gives the Department the authority to declare an emergency to close seasons. Mr. Ruth gave the Board a brief history involved in the development of the protocol. The law allows closure for no more than 10 days in succession. Mr. Ruth stated that the Congaree, Wateree and Santee drainage is the main concern for closing seasons due to flooding. Mr. Frampton stated that there will not be recommendations for closures at this time but if circumstances change in coming days due to Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne, it may be considered. Mr. Ruth and Derrell Shipes answered questions posed by Board Members. Mr. Vang showed the Board Members maps depicting a flooding situation and stated that under the present scenario there is sufficient water to cause some localized flooding and there is sufficient storage behind dams in case of a flooding situation.
X. Items for Board
Action
A. Restricted Duty Policy
Jean Cowell informed the
Board that there is one correction to the policy after the Board meeting
package was sent. The correction is for
the approval authority – the final approval authority will lie with the
Director. Mr. Campbell made a motion
that the Board approve the Restricted Duty Policy as amended. Mr. Evans seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
B. 2005 Legislative Package
Derrick Meggie reviewed the items on which there is consensus and asked for the Board to approve these items. Mr. Evans made a motion that the Board approve the items of consensus as presented. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XI. Director’s Briefing
Mr. Frampton participated in conference calls on August 31 and September 1-2, with the Governor on Hurricane Frances and conducted routine briefings with staff on hurricane preparedness. Mr. Frampton, Col. Taylor and Hope Mizzell attended a meeting at the Governor’s Office on September 15, on preparations for Hurricane Ivan and Tropical Storm Jeanne. Mr. Frampton commended all staff involved with hurricane preparations.
Mr.
Frampton, Freddy Vang and Jim Scurry represented DNR at a GIS meeting held at
the Governor’s Office on September 10.
Mr.
Frampton announced that the Governor’s DNR budget hearing will be September 22,
beginning at 9:30 am.
XII. Deputy Directors’ Reports
A. Marine
Robert Boyles gave the Board a brief update on
shrimp baiting.
B. Land, Water and
Conservation
Freddy Vang distributed the
Broad Scenic River Management Plan to the Board. Hope Mizzell gave the Board an overview of 2004 Hurricane Season,
thus far. Chairman McShane commended
Hope Mizzell and Jason Caldwell for their work with the recent hurricanes and
tropical storms.
C. Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries
Breck Carmichael informed
the Board that National Hunting and Fishing Day is next Saturday, September
25. Mr. Carmichael updated the Board on
the results of the public dove field first day. Mr. Carmichael discussed placing Big and Little Carr Creeks in
the WMA Program and the issue of allowing draw hunts on Samworth. The Board decided to hold off on action
regarding Big and Little Carr Creeks. Mr.
Ragsdale made a motion that the Board approve draw hunts at Samworth one day
every two weeks. Mr. Evans seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Law Enforcement
Col. Taylor gave the Board
a report on dove season enforcement activities. There was also discussion about the upcoming waterfowl season.
E. Outreach and
Support Services
Mrs. Collins informed the
Board that Christmas merchandise is now coming in to the Wildlife Shop. Mrs. Collins reminded the Board that the ETV
show will be on tomorrow night. Mrs.
Collins noted that 31 units of blood were collected at the latest blood drive.
Chairman McShane recognized
Mr. Burnside and Joey Holleman, The State newspaper.
Chairman McShane informed
the Board that Knox Haynsworth, Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, was
presented the Order of the Palmetto.
The Board sends their congratulations to Mr. Haynsworth.
Mr. Frampton announced that
the Harry Hampton Fund will be holding the dedication of James O. Thomason
Rifle Range at Croft State Park on December 3.
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.
Ragsdale seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XIV. Return to Regular Session
Mr. Campbell made a motion
that along with The Nature Conservancy, the Department accept an easement on
Peach Tree Rock. Mrs. Floyd seconded
the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XV. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
The October Board meeting
will be held on Friday, October 15, 2004, in Orangeburg.
The November Board meeting
will be held Friday, November 19, 2004,in Columbia.
XVI. Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.