Minutes
Telephonic Meeting
Edgar A. Brown Building, Room 252
Columbia, South Carolina
Friday, December 14, 2001
9:00 a.m.
The telephonic meeting of the Board of the South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources was conducted by conference call at
9:00 a.m., on Friday, December 14, 2001, in room 252 of the Edgar A. Brown
Building, Columbia, South Carolina and DNR Wildlife Region 1 Office,
153 Hopewell Road, Pendleton, South Carolina. Notice of
the date, time and places of the meeting were posted and mailed to the news
media. Chairman Dr. Joab Lesesne
presided over the meeting from the DNR Wildlife Region 1 Office in
Pendleton. Board members present
included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, Malloy McEachin and Dr.
Douglas Rucker. Board member Russell
Holliday, Jr. was absent. Dr. Paul A.
Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources and various
guests were present at both meeting locations.
Chairman
Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the
meeting.
Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent
meditation.
Chairman
Lesesne asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the
November 16, 2001 meeting. Dr. Leary
made a motion that the minutes of the November 16, 2001 meeting be approved as
submitted. Dr. Rucker seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
A.
Habitat
Strategy
Chairman Lesesne asked if there were
any changes or comments to the proposed habitat protection strategy distributed
at the last meeting. There being no
comments or objections staff were instructed to proceed with the strategy.
B.
Proposed
Regulations on DNR Owned Lands
Chairman Lesesne asked Billy McTeer
to brief the Board on the proposed changes in response to public comments of
123-204. Mr. McTeer stated that
comments were received from five individuals/groups regarding two issues: 1) ATV’s, and 2) backcountry camping. Mr. McTeer then reviewed the recommendations
of staff based on public comments received.
Chairman Lesesne asked for
clarification in Section 204.N(2) regarding the time of operation of all
terrain vehicles. Paul League explained
the section.
Mr. McEachin questioned how the
distinction of ATV use would be supported between hunting and non-hunting. Billy McTeer stated that this is consistent
with regulations on other WMA’s. Jim
Quinn stated that an ATV used for hunting would be in one area most of the
time, whereas, an ATV used for non-hunting would be riding around the
area. Mr. League also stated that with
this proposal, hunters would have only one day (Saturday) of “general peace”
without intrusion by ATV’s, whereas those who wish to joyride would have five
days.
Ben Gregg commended staff on their
work and also commended those who presented comments about the proposed
regulations. Mr. Gregg asked if there
are adequate resources in the area to assure compliance of the ATV regulations. Mr. Gregg also asked if the penalties are
strict enough to serve as a deterrent for off-road ATV use. Larry Holbrook stated that resources are
available and currently every effort is being made to raise awareness of speed
limits. Mr. Gregg asked if the ATV
organizations commented on the proposed regulations and if there is a way to
notify them of the changes. Mr. McTeer
stated that they did not comment and were not happy with the original
regulations and they would like to have a specific area for off-road ATV
use.
Mr. McTeer mentioned that the
current regulation requires users of ATV’s to hold a valid drivers
license. After much discussion it was
decided to strike the drivers license restriction.
Cary Chamblee asked Chairman Lesesne
if he would provide an opportunity for public comment. Chairman Lesesne opened the floor for
public comment. Chester Sansbury
requested time to comment to the Board and was given the opportunity. Mr. Sansbury commended the staff of DNR for
efforts made in working with organizations, such as REP America, Forest Watch
and others, to address concerns raised by members of these organizations. Mr. Sansbury stated that most of the
concerns he submitted, on behalf of REP America, have been addressed.
Chairman Lesesne stated that Dennis
Chastain would like to make a comment.
Mr. Chastain’s stated that he felt the ATV restriction is a good,
practical solution. Mr. Chastain also
noted that there will probably be questions from dirt bike riders, motocross
bike riders and three-wheel riders as to why they can’t enjoy that form of
recreation in the area.
After much discussion, Dr. Leary
made a motion to amend 204.N(2) (f) and (g).
Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
(f) Subject to
the authority in subsection (d) above, the operation of all terrain vehicles is
restricted as follows. All terrain
vehicles may be operated only by a person holding a valid current drivers
license. The oOperation
of all terrain vehicles is restricted to one hour before sunrise to one hour
after sunset each day beginning on Monday and continuing through the following
Friday.on Monday to one hour after sunset on Friday. A person may use an all terrain vehicle
while actually engaged in hunting at any time hunting is allowed; provided,
however, the operation of an all terrain vehicle is restricted to one hour
before sunrise to one hour after sunset with the exception of game retrieval,
and an all terrain vehicle may be used only on open roads.
(g) All
terrain vehicles having three (3) wheels and motorcycles constructed or
intended primarily for off road use, such as dirt bikes and motocross bikes,
are prohibited within the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at all times.
Chairman
Lesesne suggested that the last sentence in 204.N(1) (a) be moved to the
beginning. After much discussion
regarding trail access by the lake, it was decided to strike the last sentence
of 204.N(1) (b).
Dr.
Leary made a motion to amend 204.N(1) (a) and (b). Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried
unanimously.
(a) Backcountry camping by permit will be
allowed at any time during the year that the main roads allowing access to the
Jocassee Gorges are not opened in connection with big game hunting. Backcountry camping is allowed by permit
only at any location within the Jocassee Gorges, except for any area closed for
camping by the Department. Backcountry camping is defined as minimal impact
camping. No fires are allowed and each
permitted camper is responsible for camping in a manner that results in no
trace of the camping activity being left after breaking camp. The Department may condition permits to
protect, preserve, or maintain the property.
Backcountry campers must apply for camping permits over the Department
internet site. No camping is permitted
within fifty (50’) feet of a stream, lake or as posted by the Department. Backcountry
camping by permit will be allowed at any time during the year that the main
roads allowing access to the Jocassee Gorges are not opened in connection with
big game hunting.
(a) The
Foothills Trail passes through portions of the Jocassee Gorges. Use of the Foothills Trail shall be limited
to hiking and primitive camping.
Camping is allowed at any point along the trail and within one hundred
feet of either side of the trail.
Camping along the Foothills Trail is restricted to hikers while engaged
in backpacking. Camping is not
allowed for any person obtaining access to the Foothills Trail by boat from
Lake Jocassee.
Mr.
Gregg made a motion to instruct staff to review including access by name in
204.N (1) (a). Dr. Rucker seconded the
motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr.
Gregg made a motion to adopt the full regulation as amended above. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously.
C. Aquaculture Legislation
Derrick
Meggie asked Billy McTeer to comment on feedback received on this proposed
legislation. Mr. McTeer stated that
this legislation has been reviewed by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Advisory Committee and several interested organizations. Mr. McTeer noted that the groups who
commented on this proposed legislation support it as long as DNR feels the
administration and enforcement are in place.
Mr. McTeer reported that the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory
Committee has recommended that this proposed legislation be included in the
Department’s legislative package. Mr.
Gregg stated that he felt it is important to work with industry to devise
financing strategies for administration and enforcement. After a brief discussion concerning
financing, Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board approve including the
proposed Aquaculture legislation in the package with the caveat that if the
legislature passes this proposed legislation they will have to develop a
funding mechanism for its enforcement.
Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
There
being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the
meeting was adjourned.