Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment

NOAA is seeking applications from members of the public to fill member and alternate positions on the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary advisory council. The positions include: Citizen-at-Large, Diving/Dive Clubs/Archaeology, Economic Development, Education (K-12), Fishing, History/Heritage/Public Interpretation, Recreation and Tourism and Marketing. Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2025.

Council members and alternates provide advice and recommendations to NOAA regarding sanctuary management and will act as liaisons to community and constituent groups.

For more information on the advisory council please contact jean.prevo@noaa.gov.

More information about sanctuary advisory councils is available on the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries website.

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of maritime heritage resources.

Materials

Submit applications by mail:

Russ Green
Superintendent, Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary
UW Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus
One University Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081

Applications may also be submitted by email to russ.green@noaa.gov.

This is a standard application form for national marine sanctuary advisory councils across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Some questions may not apply to every site. Please answer those that you think are relevant to Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

The Importance of Diversity

Whether within a natural ecosystem or a human community, diversity creates strength and resilience. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries values the remarkable diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experience found throughout sanctuary communities, and invites a wide range of individuals to seek membership on our sanctuary advisory councils. With a diverse membership, advisory councils can broaden access to understanding and participation in marine conservation and governance, foster innovation and creative problem solving, and can help advance the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

"National marine sanctuaries are dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of America's marine and cultural legacy," said John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. "They are also places where people from diverse backgrounds can find common ground and discuss possible solutions to critical challenges facing the ocean. We welcome and value the wide range of perspectives and expertise that advisory council members bring to the national marine sanctuary system."

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: What is a Sanctuary Advisory Council?

ANSWER: National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based, volunteer advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to NOAA on issues including management, science, service, and stewardship. This sanctuary advisory council brings members of a diverse community together to provide advice to NOAA, to serve as a liaison with the nominating community, and to assist in guiding the site through the designation process.

QUESTION: How long do sanctuary advisory council members serve?

ANSWER: Applicants chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two or three-year terms based on the seat (seats are staggered to avoid having to recruit a full slate of new members). Members are limited to three consecutive terms on the council in the same seat, unless the ONMS Director has granted a waiver.

QUESTION: How do I apply for a seat on the sanctuary advisory council?

ANSWER: Interested parties should submit written statements of particular interest, qualifications, and experience related to the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Please go to the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary website for application materials and further information. Sanctuary advisory council members must be at least 18 years of age. Applications for each seat are due to NOAA by October 1, 2022.

QUESTION: How do I know if I am eligible to apply for a specific seat?

ANSWER: The seat descriptions are included in the charter and are described.

QUESTION: How are applicants for the sanctuary advisory council chosen?

ANSWER: Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lakes resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the site. NOAA seeks to create a Sanctuary Advisory Council that is balanced in terms of points of view represented, geographic diversity, and advisory functions the council will perform. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries director makes the final selection for seats.

QUESTION: Under what authority is NOAA undertaking this action?

ANSWER: Section 315 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA; 16 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish sanctuary advisory councils to provide advice to the Secretary of Commerce regarding the designation and management of national marine sanctuaries. This authority has been delegated to the Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). The director hereby establishes the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.