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ILMCP > Advisory Board Advisory Board

The Coastal Advisory Board provides a public forum for diverse stakeholders to assist with the implementation of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program.Photo by Jenny Orsburn

General Membership

Voting members of the Coastal Advisory Board are selected by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Nominations will be solicited every two (2) years for Board positions, and every year for “Rotating” Positions – Planner, Chamber of Commerce, and Citizen at Large. Non-voting members will be selected by the designated agency.

Membership Responsibilities

Members of the Coastal Advisory Board shall:

  • Consider regional issues affecting Lake Michigan coastal resources and reflect a balance between preservation, protection, restoration, and when possible, development for this and succeeding generations;
  • Make recommendations to the DNR Director on priorities and guidance for the Coastal Grants Program with the assistance of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program and the general public; and
  • Make recommendations to the DNR Director on nominations for Coastal Areas of Significance.

Terms
Members serve two year appointments with the exception of those noted as “Rotate” which are one year appointments. Vacancies in the membership are filled by the DNR Director or the designated agency.

Officers
The Coastal Advisory Board elects a Chairperson, Vice Chair and Secretary from among its membership by a simple majority vote every year at the April Meeting.

Officer Responsibilities

Chair:

  • Ensures the effective action of the Coastal Advisory Board;
  • Develops agendas for meetings in concert with the DNR LMCP;
  • Presides at board meetings;
  • Recommends to the Board which, if any, committees are to be established. Seeks volunteers for committees and coordinates individual board member assignments. Makes sure each committee has a chairperson, and stays in touch with chairpersons to be sure that their work is carried out; identifies committee recommendations that should be presented to the full board;
  • Determines whether special Board meetings are necessary and convenes the Board accordingly; and
  • Ensures that board matters are handled properly, including preparation of pre-meeting materials, committee functioning, and coordination with DNR LMCP.

Vice Chair:

  • Serves as the Chair, in the Chair’s absence;
  • Assists the Chair in Board operation

Secretary

  • Serves as the Chair, in the Chair and Vice-Chair’s absence;
  • Assists the Chair in Board meeting procedures;
  • Takes attendance at every CAB meeting to determine if quorum has been met;
  • Ensures that the meetings are properly recorded and minutes are distributed.

Officer Terms
Terms for the Chair, and Vice Chair are one (1) year in duration. Members may serve in the position for a maximum of two (2) terms.

2013 - 2014 Board Members
Local Government and Citizens:
Lake County City or Town - Christopher Meyers, Crown Point Building and Zoning Administrator
Porter County City or Town – Geof Benson, Town of Beverly Shores  
LaPorte County City or Town - Frank Seilheimer, City of Michigan City, Forester
Citizen at Large (Porter County – Vacant

Coastal Land Use:
Local Chamber of Commerce (Lake County) – Anthony Copeland - Lake County
Industry and Business - Dan Plath, Nisource Corporate Services
Tourism - Christine Livingston, Porter County Convention Recreation Visitor Council
Local Planner (LaPorte County) – Craig Phillips, Michigan City Planner

Environmental Resources:
Environmental Advocacy – Nicole Barker, Save the Dunes
Local Parks and Recreation – Ray Joseph, Porter County Parks Department
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - Bob Daum, Chief of Resource Management
Local Natural Resource Management - Kristopher Krouse, Shirley Heinze Land Trust

Other:
Historical/Cultural Resources - Tiffany Tolbert, Calumet Region – Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana

Non-Voting Members:
IN Dept of Environmental Management – Ashley Snyder, LaMP / RAP Coordinator
NIRPC - Kathy Luther, Environmental Director
US Fish and Wildlife Service - Elizabeth McCloskey
Universities - Young Choi
USDA NRCS - Bill Moran
IL IN Sea Grant - Leslie Dorworth
US Army Corps - Joel Schmidt
Regional Development Authority – Vacant

Coastal Advisory Board Meetings:

 

February 19, 2014 - Informational Meeting
When: 10:00 AM CT
Where: LaPorte County – Location TBD

Topics:

  • CAB Membership
  • Informational Presentations – grant recipients
  • Committee Reports

December 18, 2013 - Year in Review Meeting
When: 10:00 AM CT
Where: Porter County - Location TBD

Topics:

  • Program Year in Review
  • Committee Reports
  • Other Items

October 16, 2013 - Grant Pre-Proposal Meeting
When: 6:30 pm CDT
Where: Lake County

Topics:

  • Committee Reports
  • Grant Pre-Proposal vote

August 21, 2013 - Informational Meeting
When: 10:00 am CDT
Where: LaPorte County - Location TBD

Topics:

  • Committee Reports
  • Hoosier Prairie GLRI project – Derek Nimetz, DNR Division of Nature Preserves

June 19, 2013 - Public Input Meeting
When: 6:30 pm CDT
Where: Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
6100 Southport Road
Porter, IN

Topics:

  • Committee Reports
  • Public Input Session for 2014 Coastal Grants Priorities

May 22, 2013 - Informational Meeting
When: 10:00 AM CT
Where: Lake County - Crown Point Library
122 North Main Street
Crown Point, Indiana 46307
(219) 663-0270

Topics:

  • Officer Elections (Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary)
  • Grant Program Items

April 17, 2013 - Informational Meeting
When: 10:00 AM CT
Where: Lake County - Crown Point Library
122 North Main Street
Crown Point, Indiana 46307
(219) 663-0270

Topics:

  • Program Update
  • CAB Membership Orientation
  • LMCP Overview Presentation
  • Officer Elections
  • Informational Presentations
  • NIRMI - Dr. Pete Davis
  • Others To Be Determined
  • Committee Reports
   
 

February 20, 2013 - Informational Meeting
When: 10:00 AM CT
Where: City of Michigan City, Emergency Management Conference Room
100 East Michigan Boulevard
Michigan City, Indiana 46360

Topics:

  • CAB Membership
  • Informational Presentations – grant recipients
  • Committee Reports