The Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Wayne County. People planning to attend in person must register by Oct. 6.
The meeting will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gates Hall, 4107 Lake Road.
The recently formed council has 15 voting members and 15 alternates representing interests including recreation, tourism, education and research, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its public meetings give community members a place to raise interests and concerns about the sanctuary.
Established in 2024 and overseen by NOAA and New York state, the sanctuary is intended to protect natural, historical and cultural resources while allowing compatible public use. Wayne County, with about 35 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline, is part of the sanctuary region.
The sanctuary area contains 41 known shipwrecks and one aircraft tied to more than 200 years of history. Historical records suggest another 19 shipwrecks, three aircraft and several other underwater archaeological sites may be there, NOAA said.
Stephanie Gandulla became the sanctuary’s first superintendent Sept. 21. She previously served as research protection coordinator at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan.
NOAA said Gandulla will lead the Lake Ontario team’s work with communities and partners on maritime heritage and marine resources. The agency cited her experience in resource protection, research, education and community engagement.
NOAA has also said it is updating some materials to reflect the name “Lake America” under a presidential executive order, while continuing to use “Lake Ontario” in the sanctuary’s name. The Wayne County Board of Supervisors recently passed a resolution saying it will continue to call the Great Lake Lake Ontario.
Questions about the meeting or sanctuary can be sent to Cait Clemmer at cait.clemmer@noaa.gov.
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