Much research has been conducted through the years to demonstrate that sediment, temperature, fluctuating hydrologic flow, oils, greases and other organic compounds are pollutants which can negatively impact the Au Sable River and its tributaries. In order to reduce and/or eliminate the sources of these pollutants, the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee has recently drafted a comprehensive watershed management plan. It is hoped the utilization of this plan by stakeholder organizations within the watershed will result in better coordinated and more effective efforts to maintain the integrity of the Au Sable River ecosystem, as well as help to obtain funding for implementing water quality protection projects.

The Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee is a partnership of 32 organizations and agencies dedicated to the restoration, improvement, maintenance and protection of the Au Sable River watershed. The Committee serves as an umbrella organization that coordinates the implementation of the Au Sable River Watershed Management Plan and assists its partners in the development, promotion and implementation of projects. The Committee develops programs to facilitate communication between the partners and initiates Committee sponsored restoration projects.

Reduced funding from supporting organizations and agencies has resulted in reduced river restoration activity here in the Au Sable River watershed. During the past two years, less federal and state monies have been available for maintaining high quality water found in Michigan. Also during this period, tens of thousands of dollars from many of the organizations that support Au Sable River restoration efforts have been diverted to costly court battles.