Lake Michigan Coastal Program Advisory Board

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 years for board positions, and every year for “rotating” positions – Local Economic Development, 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. 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.

• Current Board Members

  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.

  2021 – 2023 Board Members

  
  Voting Members:

  Citizen - Vacant
  
  Youth Leadership - Samantha Fazekas

  Lake County – Chuck Gardiner, Town of Munster (Chair)

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

  LaPorte County – Katrina Vedo, Michigan City Sanitary District

  Economic Development – Vacant

  Tourism – Vacant

  Environmental Advocacy – Vern Beck, Save the Dunes

  Local Parks and Rec – Craig Zandstra, Lake County Parks

  Land Trust Organization – Eric Bird, Shirley Heinze Land Trust

  Watershed Management – Vacant

  Indiana Landmarks/Museum/Society – Danielle Adams, LaPorte Co. Historical Society Museum

  Education – Dr. Jen Fisher, IUNW

  EJ/Diversity Commissions – Nathaniel George, Brown Faces Green Spaces

  Cultural Heritage – Gary Johnson, Calumet Heritage Partnership

  
  Non-Voting Members:

  IN Dept. of Environmental Management – Michael Spinar (NWRO-AOC/LAMP) and Kristi Todd (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)

• 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