Lake Michigan Coastal Program Advisory Board

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. Vacancies in the membership are filled by the DNR director or the designated agency.

Officers

The Coastal Advisory Board elects a chairperson and Vice Chair from among its membership by a simple majority vote every year at the April meeting.

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.

2023 – 2025 Board Members

Voting Members:

Citizen - Samantha Fazekas, Porter County Resident

Youth Leadership - Jillian Burton

Lake County – Chuck Gardiner, Town of Munster

Porter County – John Blackburn, Town of Beverly Shores (Co-Chair)

LaPorte County – Larry Wall, Town of Long Beach

Economic Development – Andy Maletta, Portage Economic Development Corp.

Tourism – Barb Lusco, Indiana Dunes Tourism

Environmental Advocacy – Katie Hobgood, Save the Dunes

Local Parks and Rec – Craig Zandstra, Lake County Parks

Land Trust Organization – Christine Livingston, Shirley Heinze Land Trust Board

Watershed Management – Reggie Korthals, BFS Eng. (Chair)

Indiana Landmarks/Museum/Society –  Blake Swinhart, Indiana Landmarks

Education – Vacant

EJ/Diversity Commissions – Vacant

Cultural Heritage – Gary Johnson, Calumet Heritage Partnership

Non-Voting Members:

IN Dept. of Environmental Management – Michael Spinar (NWRO-AOC/LAMP) and Lindsey Hylton Adams (OWQ-Watersheds)

NIRPC – Eman Ibrahim (Planning Manager) and Kathy Luther (Director)

US Fish and Wildlife Service – Elizabeth McCloskey (Biologist)

Department of Natural Resources Nature Preserves – Emily Stork and Derek Nimetz

Department of Natural Resources Fish & Wildlife – Ben Dickinson and Jeremy Price

Department of Natural Resources Water – Steve Davis

Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement – S. Brown and G. Wendorf

Department of Natural Resources State Parks – David Snodgrass

Indiana Dunes National Park – Dan Plath (Resource Management)

IL IN Sea Grant – Thomas Hook (Purdue University Lafayette) and Pat Charlesbois (University of Illinois)

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