Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
South Carolina Director of Natural Resources
| South Carolina Director of Natural Resources | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $187,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $172,690,154 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Authority: | South Carolina Code, Section 48-4-10 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governing board |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
South Carolina Director of Natural Resources
Thomas Mullikin | |
| Other South Carolina Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Comptroller • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The South Carolina Director of Natural Resources is an appointed executive position in the South Carolina state government. The director of natural resources is selected by the governing board upon the advice and consent of the state senate. The director heads the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which is primarily responsible for managing the state's land and water conservation and marine and wildlife resources.[1]
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was organized on July 1, 1994. It combined the former state wildlife and marine resources department, water resources commission (non-regulatory programs), land resources commission (non-regulatory programs), state geological survey (state geologist) and migratory waterfowl committee.[2]
Current officeholder
The current South Carolina Director of Natural Resources is Thomas Mullikin (nonpartisan). Mullikin assumed office in 2025.
Authority
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is established in Section 48-4-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.[3]
Section 48-4-10:
| The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is created to administer and enforce the laws of this State relating to wildlife, marine resources, and natural resources and other laws specifically assigned to it... |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the South Carolina Director of Natural Resources has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
The director of natural resources is appointed by the governing board (who are appointed by the governor) upon the advice and consent of the state senate.[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy the position is filled by the governing board upon the advice and consent of the state senate.[3]
Duties
- See Energy policy in South Carolina for information on the state's energy portfolio and goals.
The director is responsible for managing the state's land and water conservation and marine and wildlife resources. Duties are carried out through the work of these boards and commissions:
- Geological Survey of the Research and Statistical Division of the Budget and Control Board
- State Land Resources Conservation Commission
- South Carolina Migratory Waterfowl Commission
- Water Resources Commission
- South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission[2]
Divisions
The department is organized into the following main divisions:
- Executive Office
- Land, Water and Conservation
- Law Enforcement
- Marine Resources
- Outreach and Support Services
- Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries[4]
State budget
- See also: South Carolina state budget and finances
The budget for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in Fiscal Year 2025 was $172,690,154.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2024
In 2024, the officer's salary was $187,000, according to the South Carolina Department of Administration.[6]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $187,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the director received a salary of $167,499, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the director received a salary of $134,158, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the director received a salary of $135,072, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the director received a salary of $135,072, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the director received a salary of $135,072, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the director received a salary of $129,877, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the director received a salary of $129,877, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the director received a salary of $129,877, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the director was paid an estimated $129,877. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[16]
2010
In 2010, the director was paid an estimated $121,380, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the South Carolina Director of Natural Resources has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Carolina Director Natural Resources. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Rembert C. Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone numbers and contact information for all regional offices
See also
| South Carolina | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
External links
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- SCDNR on Facebook
- SCDNR on Twitter
- SCDNR's channel on YouTube
Footnotes
- ↑ Department of Natural Resources, "History and Purpose of the Dept. of Natural Resources," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, "History," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 South Carolina Code of Laws," Title 48, Chapter 4," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, "Divisions," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ South Carolina Legislature, "Appropriations Bill H. 5100," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑ South Carolina Department of Administration, "State Salaries Query," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 29, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
| ||||||||||||||
