Anyone able to make a February 5th public access meeting in Edwardsburg?

[djkimmel]

I may have two important meetings to attend the evening of February 5th. One in Lansing that trumps (bass season-related) the other way over in Edwardsburg.

The Edwardsburg meeting is still very important, a second crack at getting a decent public access site on Eagle Lake. If I have to be at the meeting in Lansing February 5th to speak on the bass season, I need someone to be at the Ontwa Township Planning Commission meeting to read a couple letters of support - one from each bass federation. I believe the meeting starts at 7pm in the township hall across the road from Lunkers.

We got robbed on the last property so I want to see us do our part to avoid a repeat of that on this new property. Here's some details from Louie Stout who has been working hard to publicize the issue and the problems the lake association has been causing against the effort to get decent public access on a popular and largest public lake in the area: http://www.louiestout.com/columns/690-another-eagle-juno-access-proposed-by-dnr

The original site, that had actually been used as public access for about 50 years that we lost was a much nicer property, but it's gone. There's nothing we can do about that now except (hopefully) learn how to avoid a repeat. This new property is much better than nothing and provides access to 4 lakes too, instead of just Eagle Lake. So, we're actually up against two lake associations probably.

If you live anywhere near Eagle Lake and can make the meeting, votes and voices could be the difference between a new public access, and no decent public access on these lakes.

If you or someone you know could help out by reading a couple letters at this meeting for us please contact me.

[TimH]

Wish I was able to help Dan, but there is no way I would be able to leave work and make it there on time since its about  2 1/2 drive from my office. If you ever need anyone to cover a meeting for you on similar topics in southeastern Michigan or even in the Lansing area on occasion, please let me know. As you and I have discussed in the past, I interact with local and state government as part of my job, plus I have a lot of interest in the legislative/public policy side of fishing, tournaments, and the overall use of natural resources.

[skeeterman190]

 im close but working nights and really like that lake.. dan i think your best option would be to contact Andy Buss he is very into thing in our area and could probably help

[djkimmel]

Wish I was able to help Dan, but there is no way I would be able to leave work and make it there on time since its about  2 1/2 drive from my office. If you ever need anyone to cover a meeting for you on similar topics in southeastern Michigan or even in the Lansing area on occasion, please let me know. As you and I have discussed in the past, I interact with local and state government as part of my job, plus I have a lot of interest in the legislative/public policy side of fishing, tournaments, and the overall use of natural resources.

Thanks for keeping up the reminders! I need them!! For some reason I have not stored your contact info in my find it when I need it places. Can you email or PM me what you'd like me to have? I actually do believe more opportunity to take you and others up on this are coming in the next year if half of the things people are telling me come to pass.

[djkimmel]

im close but working nights and really like that lake.. dan i think your best option would be to contact Andy Buss he is very into thing in our area and could probably help

That's a good suggestion. I miss having him around here. I only talk to him about once every 18 months or so. I'll see if I can get in touch with him. I think tomorrow I will try to come up with a few other names I can try to contact. Good to see you around more often now too! Thanks!

[djkimmel]

Based on a conversation I had with MUCC today I probably will be at the meeting regarding the bass season in Lansing on February 5th. I have a few possible people to contact. I need to make sure I have 1, preferably 2, people at the meeting just to read short letters from each bass federation that I will write and get approved by each board.

There is a group coming from the Steelheaders - maybe more than 1 club and statewide, some MUCC and various locals so you won't be a lonely voice at this meeting in Edwardsburg on Wednesday, February 5th. This is a new property plan review that will give access for trailers and other boaters, and a small amount of shore fishing to 4 lakes in an area that desperately needs more public access.

[djkimmel]

These are quick drafts the MDNR Parks Division has done for the new string of properties just North of the old Dock property on Eagle Lake and the canal to Juno, Christiana and Painter Lakes. These are the plans the Ontwa Township Planning Commission is reviewing and holding this public meeting on.

There are no other suitable properties available on these lakes so this is our last shot to get some type of respectable public access on these lakes.

The meeting is Wednesday, February 5th at 7pm at the Ontwa Township Hall across from Lunkers in Edwardsburg, Michigan. The lakes are just E/NE of that location. They are the biggest, most popular lakes for all kinds of boating and fishing in the area.

The Hall is located just off US 12 on E Shore Dr - you can put this into Google Maps - 41.798981,-86.074373

View Larger Map

[djkimmel]

I'm still looking for someone who will definitely make this meeting to read a couple 1-page letters for each bass federation! Between the forecast and scheduling it is making it hard to find someone who knows they can be there early enough to get a seat inside and line up to go on the record.

This is pretty important. It is probably our last chance to get public access on Eagle Lake. If I did not have the higher statewide priority of speaking to the MUCC statewide District 20 meeting about our bass season proposal tomorrow night I would definitely make the Ontwa Township Planning Commission meeting even though it is a good drive from Lansing.

I have one person who might be able to make it though not early enough to assure a chance to speak, and possibly not able to make it based on the weather forecast for where he is coming from. I need a backup, or possibly someone who is sure they can make it there by about 6:30pm. There will be other persons from MUCC, the Steelheaders and a couple other groups I can connect you to who will help you feel like your still among some friends.