Press Release - September 24, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Brubeck (360) 394-8330

or Ellen Brody (734) 741-2270

Thunder Bay Sanctuary/Preserve Announces
New Advisory Council Members

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Michigan announce the new members and alternates for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Advisory Council:

APPOINTED SEATS:

Alpena County Board of Commissioners (no term limit)
Full member: Leonard T. Zolnierek, Chairman
Alternate: Michael Nunneley, Commissioner

Alpena City Council (no term limit)
Carol Shafto, Councilwoman

Alpena Township Board of Trustees (no term limit)
Marie A. Twite, Alpena Township Supervisor

Sanborn Township Board of Trustees (no term limit)
Lynda VanDusen, Sanborn Township Clerk

Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve Committee (no term limit)
Jeff Myers

STAKEHOLDER/USER GROUP SEATS:

Recreation ( 3 year term)
Full member: Donald G. Beem
Alternate: David M. Dekett

Tourism (2 year term)
Full member: Deborah L. Pardike
Alternate: Erwin P. Lewandowski

Business/Economic Development (3 year term)
Full member: Kenneth D. Kolasa
Alternate: Francis J. LaMarre

Fishing (3 year term)
Full member: Edward P. Retherford
Alternate: Arthur V. Gillespie

Diving (2 year term)
Full member: Merl E. Melton
Alternate: Stephen D. Kroll

Education (2 year term)
Full member: Paula J. Thompson
Alternate: Brian L. Tippman

Higher Education (3 year term)
Full member: Dr. Donald L. Newport
Alternate: John W. Singer

Maritime History/Interpretation (2 year term)
Full member: John W. McConnell
Alternate: Kathleen Hubbard

Citizen-at-Large (2 year term)
Full member: Betty L. Krueger
Alternate: Gerald F. Newhouse

Citizen-at-Large (3 year term)
Full member: David S. Elder
Alternate: Kimberly S. Wallis-Burke

EX-OFFICIO SEATS (APPOINTED):
Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) (no term limit)
Faith A. McGruther, Executive Director

Twenty-nine people applied for ten seats on the Advisory Council. "We had a great response to our request for individuals interesting in serving on the Council," said Ellen Brody, acting sanctuary manager. "We are looking forward to involving the new Council in setting priorities for the Sanctuary/Preserve. We encourage people who were not selected for the Advisory Council to get involved in the Sanctuary/Preserve by attending Council meetings, serving on work groups, and participating in volunteer activities."

The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Sanctuary/Preserve Manager and the Joint Management Committee (JMC--a state/federal body to oversee major policy, management and budget issues) on management of the Sanctuary/Preserve. The Council will draw on the expertise of its members and others to provide advice, serve as liaisons between their "constituents" and/or communities and the Sanctuary/Preserve, serve as a forum for consultation, and may serve as an initial forum for dispute resolution between the Sanctuary/Preserve and local users and/or stakeholders.

The first Advisory Council meeting will be held Tuesday, October 23 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. at the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District (AMA/ESD) building, 2118 US 23 South, Alpena. The meeting agenda will be publicized in advance of the meeting, but it will largely be an orientation and planning meeting. The public is invited to attend all Council meetings.

"The involvement of the Thunder Bay area communities will be a critical component to creating a successful Sanctuary/Preserve. We look forward to working with the Council," said Dennis Schornack, special advisor for strategic initiatives, Governor Engler's office.

The first Thunder Bay Council was established in 1997. Their mission was to provide advice and recommendations to NOAA and the State throughout the designation process for the Sanctuary/Preserve.