To the Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance

Who We Are

The Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance (ARPOA) is a non-profit, incorporated, voluntary organization of riparian property owners along Michigan’s upper Au Sable River and others committed to protecting the watershed’s natural resources.

Our membership area extends from the confluence of Bradford and Kolka Creeks, downstream to the Mio Dam, and includes the Au Sable’s Mainstream, North Branch, East Branch, South Branch, Big Creek and all associated tributaries.

ARPOA is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors.

Our Mission, Projects, and Initiatives

Our Mission

Originally established as an “Association” in the mid-1960s, ARPOA’s founding mission was to:

“Preserve, protect, and enhance the region’s natural endowments—its unspoiled wilderness, unpolluted cold-water streams, and stable forest habitat—for the enjoyment of future generations.”

We adopted the term “Alliance” in 2023 to better reflect the collaborative and action-driven spirit of our work. Unlike the hierarchical connotation of “Association,” the term “Alliance” emphasizes partnership and proactive stewardship.

Key Initiatives and Accomplishments

ARPOA’s mission is realized through a range of impactful programs and partnerships:

●      Environmental Stewardship:

○      Cedars for the Au Sable (CFAS): Since 1997, we’ve planted over 28,500 northern white cedar seedlings to restore the river’s natural vegetation.

○      Purple Loosestrife Removal: Since 2009, we’ve led efforts to identify and remove this aggressive invasive species, protecting the river’s delicate ecosystem.

○      Watershed Health Surveys: Participated in streambank erosion assessments and greenbelt workshops in collaboration with organizations such as Huron Pines.

●      Education & Awareness:

○      River Etiquette Signage: Installed signs at key access points to promote responsible recreation.

○      Workshops & Community Outreach: Ongoing educational efforts to engage members and the public.

●      Policy Advocacy:

○      Short-Term Rental Regulation: Successfully advocated for more stringent oversight to protect riverfront communities.

○      Opposition to Military Expansion:

■      Camp Grayling: Led regional resistance to proposed land and airspace expansion, citing threats to river health, recreation, tourism, and property values.

■      SAAB Munitions Plant: Actively opposed the project due to its environmental risks and lack of public engagement. ARPOA spoke at public hearings and published an Op-Ed in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

■      Jailhouse Power Plant Proposal: Opposes this groundwater-intensive project that threatens river flow, especially on the North Branch. The proposed 900-gallon-per-minute withdrawal exceeds even Nestlé’s water extraction in Michigan.

Join Us

The Au Sable River faces unprecedented challenges. ARPOA stands at the forefront of environmental protection, education, and advocacy. But we can’t do it alone.

We invite you to join the Alliance—lend your voice, time, and resources to help us preserve the beauty and integrity of this exceptional natural resource.

Together, we can protect the Au Sable River for future generations.