Some really good news is coming for Cass County, Michigan anglers.

Not only did Ontwa Township Zoning Board of Appeals vote down an attempt by lake residents to block the DNR’s new access on Eagle and Juno lakes, but the state moved forward with purchase plans of the 2.2 acres between the two bodies of water.

DNR Project Manager Paul Yauk said the purchase papers were signed the day after the ZBA vote and now await the closing.

The DNR must now present its conceptual development plan for approval to the Ontwa Planning Commission March 5 at 7 p.m.

Of course, it won’t be smooth sailing. The Eagle Lake Improvement Association and its attorneys fought hard to convince the ZBA board to reject the access and likely will continue to slow or stop the project. Despite a large lake association turnout and attorney objections, the board voted 4-3 that an access site met zoning requirements.

The DNR’s plan calls for 16 vehicle/trailer and 5 vehicle parking spots and, a new launch ramp into Eagle Lake and another on the channel leading to the Juno Chain on the backside of the parking area.

The DNR has said insisted it will not back off that.

Sportsmen are urged to continue their support of the project at future township meetings. The sooner the access gains full township approval, the sooner the development can begin. It’s not likely that the project will be completed yet this season.

On another note, we were critical of Lunker’s retail managers for not taking a stand in favor of the project in our last blog.

Lunker’s marketing director Michael Hoover has since stepped up by writing a letter to township officials offering the store’s support for the project, noting that public access is valuable to Lunker’s business and the community in general.