COLUMBIA, S.C. - Natural Resources Department Director John Frampton addressed boat registration, law enforcement on the water and hunting licenses during a budget hearing Wednesday.

Frampton, who was appointed director by the board four months ago, said the agency is working on more user-friendly services, including online access for licenses and boating registration.

Gov. Mark Sanford asked why the agency spent $500,000 on its annual wildlife magazine and whether it needed funds for homeland security missions.

Frampton said the magazine was a recruiting tool for the Commerce Department, but said he would look into selling advertisements in the award-winning magazine.

He also said the agency is working closely with the State Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Coast Guard as backup for homeland security missions.

The Natural Resources Department has seen its budget trimmed 35 percent over the past three years and the agency has cut more than 70 law enforcement officers. Some counties have just one officer patrolling the waterways, Frampton said.

That concerns some who use Lake Hartwell in Anderson County.

"People are very unhappy that there is little or no supervision on that lake," said Rep. Bob Waldrep, R-Anderson.

Frampton has asked the governor to fund a new class of law enforcement officers in the upcoming budget because the agency hasn't had a new class in three years.