What is the PJC?

PJC stands for the Painter, Juno, Christiana Lakes Association.  The association is located in Cass County, Michigan.

Why are local groups such as the PJC so important? 

Due to cutbacks over the years in state and federal funding, as well as understanding in local agencies, many of the activities associated with area lake and stream protection falls to volunteers. Local lake association members and community volunteers are in high demand. The issues they are dealing with have become more complex, especially following the implementation of Proposal A, that reduced Michigan taxes on primary dwellings. Proposal A has lead to a boom in housing-development locally and across the state, increasing demands on our lakes and streams. In an effort to promote volunteerism, the PJC has initiated a cooperative program with Edwardsburg High School's Advanced Placement Biology students, the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. (ML&SA), and the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Service. The lake associations met with approval from the school administration to use the student biologists for an aquatic vegetation identification/mapping project. ML&SA is currently launching the PJC's program to promote volunteerism related to environmental protection and preservation of Michigan lakes and streams.  The ML&SA proudly features this project on the CMP web site. Pearl Bonnell, Treasurer and Director of Operations for ML&SA, will be coordinating their involvement locally. 

Classroom training took place on Friday, August 27th, at the Edwardsburg High School. A 3-hour session was conducted by Howard Wandell - MSU Extension.  Howard was formerly with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Inland Lakes Division. The session was provided for the local students and adult volunteers working with the program 

Edwardsburg High School Biology Instructor, Kevin Bartz, has indicated his enthusiasm for an on-going project with the lakes association and community volunteers on an annual basis. ML&SA will be making an effort to expand the educational process to include watershed education and protection. Mr. Bartz also hopes to address environmental issues such as the infestation of zebra mussels and purple loosestrife in the area waters and wetlands. 

PJC Lakes Association, ML&SA, Bayer Corporation's Science Forum, and Martin's Supermarkets are underwriting the costs for the school project. 

Volunteers for the program consist of Edwardsburg graduates: Rich Bigelow, PJC member; Robert Boepple, Eagle Lake resident; Nancy Bowman, PJC President, and a Bayer Corporation employee; Neil Bowman, a Bayer Corporation employee; also Bill Francis, PJC member who holds a doctorate in Biology; Linda Hout, member of PJC and research scientist; Don Kaufman, PJC member; Gerald Marchetti, PJC member; Emily Mattler, Putterbaugh Lake resident and Naturalist with a biology degree; Ray Plencner, Diamond Lake resident and retiree of Bayer Corporation; and Phil Steele, PJC member and retiree of Bayer Corporation. 

Interestingly enough, one of the local sponsors, Bayer Corporation, also has historical ties to the Christiana Lake area as the founder of Miles Laboratories (now Bayer Corporation), Dr. Franklin Miles, built a summer home on the lake. Many of the long time residents, know it by the name he gave it, the "Wigwam." The name, however, is quite deceptive, as it is a large home with a beautiful view of Christiana Lake. Having lived at the lake since the age of seven, PJC President Bowman remembers playing in the field stone cave that is built into the hill at the water's edge in front of the house and the plaque which reads, Par. Franklin Miles", that still remains on the ceiling of the structure. 

Another volunteer activity promoted by the association is participation in the county's Roadside Clean-up project.  In addition, PJC member Phil Steele plays a key voluntary role by testing lake clarity on a weekly basis and collecting periodic water specimens to be tested for phosphorus and chlorophyll. These samples are sent to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for laboratory testing. The results of these tests provide baseline information and document trends in water quality for our individual lakes. Associations enrolled in the ML&SA sponsored Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program  receive a report each year that identifies water quality readings for all Michigan lakes enrolled in the program. Steele also collects water samples from swimming areas on the three lakes and submits them to the County Health Department for Ecoli bacteria testing. With increased population growth around the area's lakes, there will always be a need for enthusiastic volunteers to address issues such as boating safety, sewer projects, water quality testing, wetland protection and legal issues.