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.

A watershed includes all of the land that drains to a common point, in this case the 1,100 square mile basin of the upper Au Sable River (from the headwaters to the beginning of the Mio Pond) and its tributaries. A watershed plan assesses how land use affects water quality and recommends solutions for reducing pollutant sources. Example pollutant sources within the upper Au Sable River Watershed:

1. Urban runoff
2. Eroding streambanks
3. Poorly designed road/stream crossings
4. Recreational access sites
5. Impoundments
6. Poorly planned residential development

The format of the upper Au Sable River Watershed Management Plan has been designed to meet the requirements of the Clean Michigan Initiative Non-point Source Pollution administrative rules. Much of the information within this plan can be found in the Department of Natural Resource’s 2001 Au Sable River Assessment. Action- oriented strategies are recommended within the watershed management plan are intended to address impairments and threats to water quality and are derived from the input of Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee members. Many of these recommendations have already been initiated by the committee, which was established in 1989. Their efforts through the years have included such things as enhancing fish habitat within the river, improving road/stream crossings, assessing impacts of stormwater runoff and correcting streambank erosion sites. Despite all of the hard work, biologists with the DNR have recently verified the Au Sable’s coldwater fishery (officially listed by the state as a "designated" use of the river) is impaired because of such pollutants as those listed above.

Concerns about threats and impairments to water quality have led to the establishment of the following watershed management goals: 

1. Improve the coldwater fishery of the river
2. Institute responsible land use practices within the watershed
3. Restore aquatic habitat in portions of the watershed where impairment is suspected
4. Ensure recreational activities within the watershed are conducted in such a way so as not to degrade the integrity of the river system

Pollutants, recreational pressure and unmanaged growth are challenges that must be faced by those concerned with preserving the Au Sable watershed for years to come. The watershed, like all of northern Michigan, is facing increased pressure from growth. Within the six county region of the upper Au Sable watershed, there was 21.4% growth rate from 1990 to 2000.2 Furthermore, even in areas of the upper Au Sable watershed where population growth has not accelerated dramatically, the pressure on natural resources (due to both heavier recreational use and the proliferation of second homes) has. For instance, between 1960 and 1990, Roscommon County had the largest increase in second homes (5,124) of any county in Michigan- Crawford and Oscoda counties were nor far behind. For Crawford, this amounted to a remarkable 360% increase in second homes. This problem is complicated by the fact that many of the rural communities have little or no zoning regulations which could, if implemented effectively, help preserve the local distinctiveness of the area.

Those involved with the development of the Au Sable Watershed Management Plan recognize the resource is of very high quality, the stakeholders are many and varied and development pressure within the watershed will continue to increase. This plan should be updated every couple of years to ensure it adjusts to the changing needs and problems within the watershed. As threats to water quality change, so to will the focus of watershed management efforts.

For all of the objectives listed below, the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee will oversee and Coordinate efforts. Partner involvement is contingent on funding of the projects listed.

GOAL 1: IMPROVE THE COLDWATER FISHERY OF THE AU SABLE RIVER

Objective 1: Reduce sedimentation from poorly designed road/stream crossings
Objective 2: Prevent any further increase in stormwater runoff from urban areas within the watershed
Objective 3: Reduce and/or eliminate stormwater associated pollution from Grayling and Roscommon urban centers
Objective 4: Reduce erosion and sedimentation along streambanks
Objective 5: Repair, restore or remove existing MDNR instream fisheries structures
Objective 6: Remove accumulated sediments from the mainstream and tributaries
Objective 7: Restore high-gradient habitats within the river system

GOAL 2: INSTITUTE RESPONSIBLE LAND USE PRACTICES WITHIN THE WATERSHED

Objective 1: Produce a map of environmentally sensitive areas
Objective 2: Permanently protect environmentally sensitive areas
Objective 3: Work with property owners to ensure responsible stewardship practices
Objective 4: Work with local units of government to ensure sound environmental decision-making
Objective 5: Establish and continue long-term program for monitoring water quality
Objective 6: Create watershed council to improve coordination of water quality protection efforts

GOAL 3: RESTORE AQUATIC HABITAT IN PORTIONS OF THE WATERSHED WHERE IMPAIRMENT IS SUSPECTED

Objective 1: Initiate channel reclamation project at I-75 downstream site
Objective 2: Increase amount to woody debris at suitable sites
Objective 3: Conduct yearly river cleanups

GOAL 4: WORK TO ENSURE RECREATION ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE WATERHSED ARE CONDUCTED IN SUCH A WAY SO AS NOT TO DEGRADE THE INTEGRITY OF THE RIVER SYSTEM

Objective 1: Demonstrate connection between healthy watershed and economic benefits
Objective 2: Increase awareness of the impact recreational activities may have on the river

Implementing the objectives contained in this plan will help ensure the exceptional water quality of the region remains high. Stakeholders throughout the watershed should work through the Restoration Committee to see that both current and anticipated problems are addressed. If you do not have a copy of the upper Au Sable River Watershed Management Plan and would like one, of if you would like to be notified of Restoration Committed meetings, please contact:
Huron Pines
http://www.huronpines.org/project.php?action=view&projectId=74