Governor's Council on Minnesota's Coastal Program

The Coastal Council advises the DNR on matters related to Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. They support the Coastal Program in reaching its goal to preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, restore or enhance coastal resources along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior.

Council information

Members

The council has 15 members appointed by the governor. There are three members from each of the four coastal counties (Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis), as well as three at-large members. Carlton and Cook counties include Fond du Lac and Grand Portage Reservations respectively. At-large members may live anywhere in the state. Their terms are 2 – 3 years.

Responsibilities

The Coastal Council has four main responsibilities:

  • Recommend Coastal Program priorities to the DNR.
  • Review and make recommendations to the DNR on select programs and projects for funding.
  • Review the Coastal Program’s annual budget and makes recommendations to the DNR.
  • Review the Coastal Program every two years and makes recommendations to the DNR.

 

Vacancies

There are 15 open seats starting April 3. They are open to anyone over the age of 18 living in the four coastal counties (Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis) or on the Fond du Lac or Grand Portage Reservations.  We are also seeking three at-large members, living anywhere in the state of Minnesota.

If you are interested in applying for the Coastal Council and want to learn more, contact Amber Westerbur, coastal program manager, at 218-834-1445 or [email protected].

TO APPLY:
Apply online through the Office of the Secretary of State. Alternatively, you can download a paper application. Remember to include a cover letter and resume with your application.

Council meetings

Format

The council meets four times a year. Meetings last between two and six hours depending on business needs. Meetings are open to the public. If you need reasonable accommodations to be able to participate, contact Marcia Nieman at least two weeks prior to the meeting. You can reach her at [email protected] or 218-834-1440.

2022-2023 meetings

Meeting locations are determined at least three weeks in advance of the meeting date. Agendas and any meeting materials will be available one week prior to the meeting.

Date
Time
Location
Activities
September 28, 202210 a.m. - noon

Microsoft Teams meeting (virtual)

Council Business: review and score STAR applications

 

January 18-19, 2023

18: 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

19: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Large Conference Room and videoconference

Council Business: review and score Annual and STAR applications

March 29, 20239:30 a.m. – noon

Lake County DNR Office
1568 Hwy 2, Two Harbors, Minn., 55616

Or join on your computer

Click here to join the meeting

Or by phone +1 651-395-7448,

Phone Conference ID: 396 431 786#

Council Business: review and score STAR applications

June 21, 2023TBD

Carlton County, or by videoconference

  • Annual Meeting
  • Council Business: election of officers, set program priorities, and review and score STAR applications
Prior meeting minutes
Meeting minutes from prior dates are available by contacting Amber Westerbur. You can reach her at [email protected] or 218-834-1445.

Resources


For more information contact:
Amber Westerbur
Coastal Program Manager
218.834.1445
[email protected]
[email protected]