News from the Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association

Mio, Michigan – It’s worked to alleviate litter on the nation’s highways so why not for a much beloved, and much littered, river?

The section of Michigan’s Au Sable River from Mio Dam, about 30 miles east of Grayling, to Alcona Pond is considered one of the premier spots for trophy brown trout anywhere east of the Rockies.  It is also the recipient of tons of trash each summer from canoers, campers, hikers, fishers and illegal dumpers.

“This river is a crown jewel, but some people use it as a garbage can,” says Thomas Buhr, President of the Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association (ASBWPA), a conservation group that takes care of this section of the Au Sable.

Buhr’s group has conducted cleanups in both the spring and fall, but has found it necessary to expand these activities.

“There’s trash all summer,” Buhr explained.  “Why wait until after Labor Day to pick it up.”

The ASBWPA has decided to borrow a page from the Adopt A Highway program started in the 1990s by the Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation.  Individuals, businesses or organizations may adopt beats along the Au Sable between Mio Dam and Comins Flats, a popular landing about eight miles downstream.  They pledge to clean the beat at least twice monthly beginning after Memorial Day until Labor Day. 

The beats range from 200 to 900 yards, the larger sections being reserved for watercraft since it is difficult to access those areas by foot.  The ASBWPA provides trash bags, gloves, and trash stickers (for dislodging refuse from the streambed). 

Those who participate receive recognition on the ASBWPA’s Adopt-A-Beat website.  For businesses, that means free advertising.

There are still spaces open on the Mio to Comins stretch.  Next year the group plans to add seven more miles to the project.  Those interested in volunteering should go to www.adopt-a-beat.org and download the Adopt-A-Beat map & guidelines sheet or call 989-745-4957.  It is hoped that all the beats will be filled by Memorial Day.

Formed in 2007, the mission of the ASBWPA is to conserve and watch over the reach of the Au Sable from Mio Dam to Alcona Pond and support the best interests of the entire Au Sable River System.