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.

• Coastal Advisory Board Meetings

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.

  2019 – 2021 Board Members

  Voting Members:

  Local Government and Citizens:

  Lake County City or Town – Ross Pietrzak, City of Hobart, Zoning Administrator
  Porter County City or Town – Donna Norkus, Beverly Shores, Town Council President 
  LaPorte County City or Town – Vacant
  Citizen (LaPorte County) – Brian Breidert, (Retired) Former DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife employee

  Coastal Land Use:

  Local Economic Development (Porter County) – Vacant
  Industry and Business – James Alexander, Nisource Corporate Services, Team Leader of Environmental Policy group
  Tourism - Vacant
  Local Planner (At Large) – Vacant

  Environmental Resources:

  Environmental Advocacy – Natalie Johnson, Save the Dunes, Executive Director
  Local Parks and Recreation – Jeremy Sobecki, LaPorte County Parks and Recreation, Superintendent
  Indiana Dunes National Park – Lynda Lancaster, Indiana Dunes National Park, Program Manager-Partnership (Chair)
  Local Natural Resource Management – Eric Bird, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Stewardship Director (Vice-Chair)

  Other:

  Historical/Cultural Resources - Brad Miller, Calumet Region – Indiana Landmarks and Historic Preservation, Director of the Indiana Landmarks Northwest Field Office

  Non-Voting Members:

  IN Dept of Environmental Management – Michael Spinar, LAMP/RAP Coordinator
  NIRPC - Kathy Luther, Environmental Director
  US Fish and Wildlife Service - Elizabeth McCloskey, NISO Biologist
  US EPA -  Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy, US EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
  Universities - Young Choi, Purdue University Northwest
  Agriculture - Keith Gustafson, Gustafson Family Farm, Porter County SWCD
  IL IN Sea Grant - Leslie Dorworth, Purdue University Northwest
  US Army Corps - Vacant
  Regional Development Authority – Jill Huber, Grants Manager

• 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