In June 2023, NOAA announced it was starting the designation process for a new national marine sanctuary in Lake Erie, adjacent to Pennsylvania. A sanctuary in the Pennsylvania portion of Lake Erie would enable NOAA to protect the region’s maritime heritage resources, including a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks.
Now NOAA is establishing a pre-designation Sanctuary Advisory Council to provide advice and recommendations for the proposed sanctuary. Applications for the council will be accepted through Aug. 28, 2024.
A sanctuary advisory council is a community-based advisory group consisting of representatives from various user groups, government agencies and the public at large. The role of the council is to provide advice to NOAA on the proposed designation and operation of a national marine sanctuary. Council members also act as liaisons to their communities, building a strong connection between the sanctuary and stakeholders.
The pre-designation advisory council for the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary will consist of 15 voting members and alternates who represent a variety of community interests, from recreation and tourism to education and outreach. Additionally, several federal, state and local government entities will hold non-voting seats.
NOAA is seeking applicants for the following seats:
● Citizen-at-Large (2 members, 2 alternates)
● Commercial/Charter Fishing (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Divers, Dive Clubs and Archaeology (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Economic Development (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Education (K-12) (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Higher Education (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Historically Underserved Populations (1 member, 1 alternate)
● History, Maritime Heritage, and Public Interpretation (2 members, 2 alternates)
● Maritime Industry (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Outdoor Recreation (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Recreational Fishing (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Research, Science and Technology (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Tourism and Marketing (1 member, 1 alternate)
● Youth (ages 14-17) non-voting (2 members, 2 alternates)
Applicants do not necessarily need prior first-hand experience within the proposed sanctuary, but they should be very familiar with their constituents’ regional interests and how they relate to, or benefit from, the designation of the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary. Anyone with the desire and ability to effectively represent their respective community’s interest is invited to apply.
For anyone interested in learning about the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, NOAA will host two webinars to explain the roles and responsibilities of advisory council members during the following dates and times. Participation in the webinars is not required to apply for the council.
● Wednesday, July 24, 2024 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EST Register Here
● Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 Noon – 1:00 p.m. EST Register Here
The deadline to apply for the advisory council is Aug. 28, 2024. Applications not received orpostmarked by Aug. 28, 2024 will not be considered. For more information, including a copy of the application, please visit the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council recruitment webpage or contact Honey Stempka, honey.stempka@noaa.gov, 301-569-2746
To learn more about the proposed Lake Erie National Marine Sanctuary visit: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/lake-erie/
