Lake Michigan Coastal Program: Lake Michigan Coastal Program 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.
2025 – 2027 Board Members
Lake County – Jillian Burton (City of Hobart)
Porter County – Lori Wilkie (Portage Township)
LaPorte County – Larry Wall (Town of Long Beach)
Tourism – Barb Lusco (Indiana Dunes Tourism)
Environmental Advocacy – Kim Ehn (Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society)
Local Parks and Rec – Sasha Mateer (Lake County Parks)
Land Trust Organization – Christine Livingston (Shirley Heinze Land Trust)
Watershed Management – Reggie Korthals (Northwest Indiana Stormwater Advisory Group)
Indiana Landmarks/Museum/Society – Blake Swihart (Indiana Landmarks)
Education – Michelle Krueger (Dunes Learning Center)
Regional 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

Lake Michigan Coastal Program Advisory Board

Advisory Board

General Membership

Terms

Officers

2025 – 2027 Board Members

Non-Voting Members:

Chair:

Vice Chair:

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