The Kalamazoo River Watershed Public Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of local citizens representing a variety of stakeholders throughout the Kalamazoo River Area of Concern (AOC): business people, agricultural interests, landowners, hunting and fishing groups, local governmental units, public health agencies, educators, conservationists, and environmental activists. The PAC was established in May 1993 to assist and advise the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Remedial Action Plan (RAP) team with the development of the RAP, a plan to restore and protect the Kalamazoo River. PAC members are liaisons between the public and the RAP process. Additionally, PAC subcommittees develop strategies to enhance communication, public relations, and project funding. More information about the Kalamazoo River AOC is available from the US Environmental Protection Agency here, and from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) here. Our bylaws can be viewed here.
The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council (KRWC) is the assumed name of the Kalamazoo River PAC, and was incorporated as a 501 C3 Non Profit under the name of the Kalamazoo River Watershed Public Advisory Council in 1998. The KRWC plays an important role in many watershed-wide initiatives, all with the long term protection, restoration, enjoyment and stewardship of the Kalamazoo River and its tributaries in mind.
The KRWC is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board meets monthly throughout the year and presently includes members of diverse professional backgrounds, several of whom contribute technical and scientific expertise. We strive to include board members that live in and represent various parts of the watershed. Our meetings are open to the public and typically take place virtually on the third Monday of each month. More information about attending a meeting can be found on the Events page.
Current Board of Directors
Christine Kosmowski, President
Kenneth Kornhesier, DVM, Vice President
Steven Kohler, PhD, Treasurer
Shannan Deater, Director
Robert Shuchman, PhD. Director
Bessie Stears, Director
Matt Diana, Director
Renee Mulcrone, Director
Stephen Hamilton, PhD, Director Emeritus
Malissa Drzick, Director
Monica Day, Director
Staff
Dr. Douglas McLaughlin, Watershed Council Executive Director
Dr. McLaughlin joined the KRWC as Executive Director in 2022.
Doug joined the KRWC Board in 2019. He has over 30 years of experience as a water resources scientist and practitioner. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Land Resources from the Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He conducted his research in the Water Chemistry program, evaluating environmental and engineered changes in polychlorinated biphenyls found in contaminated river sediments. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He worked for 15 years as a Principal Research Scientist at the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc, where he developed national expertise in the science needed to support water quality criteria and standards. More recently, he worked as a senior scientist and science advisor at Kieser & Associates, LLC in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Prior to joining NCASI, he was a Senior Scientist for Blasland, Bouck, and Lee, Inc. in Syracuse, New York and DePere, Wisconsin where he was responsible for developing and communicating scientific information to inform contaminated sediment remedial alternatives. Doug is also currently the Founder and President of WaterWays|SEM, L3C, a low-profit limited liability company focused on improving and sustaining water resources through broad stakeholder engagement in water-related science, education, and management activities.
Contact: krwc@kalamazooriver.org, 269-447-1580 (office)
Learn about opportunities to support the KRWC in its mission and vision today!