Advisory Board
The Coastal Advisory Board provides a public forum for diverse stakeholders to assist with the implementation of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program.
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.
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 – Lori Wilkie, Portage Township
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
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 –Kathy Luther and Jennifer Birchfield
US Fish and Wildlife Service – Jared O’Brien
Department of Natural Resources Nature Preserves – Emily Stork, Derek Nimetz, Matt Beatty
Department of Natural Resources Fish & Wildlife – Ben Dickinson and Josh Neary
Department of Natural Resources Water – Steve Davis
Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement – S. Brown and G. Wendorf
Department of Natural Resources State Parks – Doug Lang
- 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
