By Louie Stout
Just when we thought we might be making headway in development of a new Eagle Lake Boat Launch, along comes another setback.
Earlier this year, the DNR’s proposed launch received the blessing of Michigan’s Environmental Great Lakes and Energy Division to move forward with the project.
Over the past several years, the Eagle Lake Improvement Association has forced the DNR into numerous legal proceedings to prevent the launch. Now it’s a lake resident who has filed a petition challenging the project once again.
Paul Siadecki, who lives on the north shore of the lake, has challenged the project claiming it will create a loss of wetlands and cause more environmental harm to the lake.
It’s another stall tactic, as we’ve been down this road before. Unfortunately, opponents of the new access are taking advantage of the DNR’s slow judicial process despite the legal costs they continue to incur.
DNR sources tell me that the permit must go through another contesting process with another administrative law judge who will rule on Siadecki’s claim. The DNR will be represented by a representative from the state’s attorney general office.