Two months into Gov. Mark Sanford's administration, a board appointed by former Gov. Jim Hodges is set to select a new leader for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

The seven-member S.C. Natural Resources Board plans to interview seven candidates Friday to replace Paul Sandifer, whose resignation takes effect April 1. Sandifer announced in January that he was leaving the state agency to take a position with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

DNR officials didn't release the names of candidates for the director's job, but they said at least seven candidates are being considered, four of whom currently work for the agency.

The situation is awkward for the board, which is appointed by the governor to set the agenda for the natural resources agency. The board members were appointed by Hodges, and they all could be replaced by Sanford, who has moved slowly to put his own appointees on state boards.

Joab Lesesne, chairman of the Natural Resources Board, said the current board isn't trying to rush into hiring a new director before its members are replaced. It simply doesn't want the agency to be without a leader.

"We've got to do something because Paul's gone on April 1," Lesesne said.

The governor's office has communicated with the board and has no problem with their selecting a director, said Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond.

Sanford has made only a couple of appointments to non-Cabinet agency boards. Drummond said the governor, instead, has focused on his Cabinet appointments.

"In many cases, there's not an immediate case for replacing board members," Drummond said. "Plus he wants to make sure he puts the right people in place."

Lesesne said the board prefers to select somebody Sanford approves. Bucking Sanford's wishes could lead to two quick changes in leadership if a new board replaces this board's choice.

"That wouldn't be the smartest thing for us to do," Lesesne said. "And it wouldn't be the smartest thing for somebody to take the job in that situation."

While Sanford has the legal right to replace the board, he doesn't have to. Board members serve four-year terms, and the term has expired for only one of them -- Ben Gregg of Columbia. Gregg continues to serve until a replacement is selected.

Lesesne said he doesn't think the board has major philosophical differences with Sanford on natural resources issues. The agency's recent emphasis on land conservation issues fits into Sanford's stated plans.

Still, Lesesne expects Sanford will make some changes.

"Politics being what it is, there are only so many opportunities for the governor to make appointments, so I suspect Gov. Sanford is going to want to make some of his own," Lesesne said.