If you want a better access to Eagle and Juno lakes near Edwardsburg, make plans to attend a public hearing Thursday night.

The meeting will be held at “Our lady of the Lake” Church Social Hall on U.S. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Michigan DNR has offered to purchase the former “Dock” property across the street from the existing Eagle Lake ramp on Eagle Lake Road and hopes to convert it into a multi-functional access site for both Eagle and the Juno/Christian/Painter chain of lakes.

DNR personnel will accept comments and answer questions from 6 to 7 p.m. at the hearing after which they will provide a brief presentation to discuss the acquisition process and an overview of the proposed amenities. After the presentation, the DNR will be on hand to gather more comments and answer questions.

The DNR would like the Dock property development to include an improved launching facility on Eagle, a new launch site placed on the channel that leads to Christiana Lake, parking for cars, tow vehicles and trailers, restroom facilities and development of an existing pond on the property for family fishing activities.

The proposed acquisition and development has the potential of providing those lakes and the community with a first-class facility.

The Cass County lakes have been popular fishing lakes for years. However, Eagle Lake parking has been limited since First Source Bank banned parking on the Dock property while Juno Chain access was reduced when the DNR renovated and reduced its existing access site.

The meeting will give the public an opportunity to hear the DNR’s plans for the site and share its suggestions.

DNR staff on hand includes a conservation officer, fish biologist Jay Wesley, Land Program Manager Paul Yauk, Regional Field Planner Joe Strauch, and District Parks and Recreation Supervisor Rollie Johnson. Township and county representatives also will be available.

Strauch designed the existing, renovated ramp on Juno Lake and would play a similar role at the proposed site. Yauk spearheaded the acquisition between the DNR and First Source Bank.

The big question in sportsmen’s minds is how many parking spots will be made available to boaters. The proposed site has received resistance from some lake locals who want to limit the number of boats gaining access to the two bodies of water.

The hearing would be an opportune time for boaters to share concerns regarding the latest renovation of the existing Juno Lake ramp that has reduced parking spots and created numerous problems for boaters.