In a ruling announced by Cass County District Court Friday, Judge Sue Dobrich supported the Ontwa Townships zoning board decision that favored the proposed boat launch on Eagle Lake.
The popular fishing lake in southwest Michigan has been without sufficient access all year. The DNR purchased land on Eagle Lake Road near Edwardsburg with the intent to develop a parking area and safe boat launch but has received stiff resistance from the Eagle Lake Improvement Association.
Last summer, the lake association filed suit against Ontwa Township and the Michigan DNR over the townships zoning board vote that approved the proposed launch.
The lake association challenged the townships vote that qualified the access as a park, claiming it didnt meet zoning requirements.
The judge said that the zoning board was the appropriate agency to make the decision and affirmed the zoning boards decision.
It remains to be seen if the lake association will appeal.
Meanwhile, the DNR land sits idle. Previously, DNR officials said they would meet with the Cass County Road Commission this summer to discuss roadside development, build a fence along the north side of the property and maintain it. At this point nothing has been done and attempts to get a status update from the DNR have been unsuccessful.
Well keep trying.