This compilation is an attempt to give you a road map of the Anglers' accomplishments and occasional setbacks. We have attempted to supply enough information but we're sure—having had to canvas meeting minutes from over 80 board meetings and 48 newsletters—we haven't covered everything and indeed have missed some items completely. If we left out a specific milestone, please accept our apologies; it was not intentional. Also, many board members and members were directly responsible for the achievements you'll read below. However, given space considerations, their specific names are not listed.

| 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |

| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |

| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |

| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |

| 2007 |

1985

• 1985 - Bowing to pressure from a Grayling area citizens group, The Committee to Oppose Mandatory Catch & Release, Circuit Court judge Alton Davis (Grayling) issues a temporary injunction of the Holy Water catch & release regulation. Michigan Natural Resources Commision directs Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) to designate Holy Water Stretch of Au Sable Mainstream as catch and release.

  [Top] [Home]

1986

• April 1986 - Bowing to pressure from a Grayling area citizens group, The Committee to Oppose Mandatory Catch & Release, Circuit Court judge Alton Davis (Grayling) issues a temporary injunction of the Holy Water catch & release regulation.
  
• May 1986 - Rusty Gates, proprietor of Gates Au Sable Lodge, begins building a mailing list from his lodge guests and patrons of his fly shop to organize against the catch & release opposition group.
• Sep. 13, 1986 - Six anglers—Rusty Gates, Dan Drislane, Ed McGlinn, Dennis Potter, Vic Prislipski and Gene Ballou—meet in the dining room at Gates Au Sable Lodge to organize the first meeting of a new fishing organization.

  [Top] [Home]

1987

• Jan.18, 1987 - Thirteen anglers meet at Dan Drislane's offices in Farmington Hills to establish the what all present agreed to call the "Anglers of the AuSable." An interim board and officers are established and bylaws and a mission statement ("To preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River System for future generations of fly fishers.") are drafted.
• February 1987 - Anglers affiliate with Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). The Natural Rivers Act goes into effect.

[Read Rusty Gates' report on canoe livery expansion and the Natural Rivers Act from Riverwatch #27.]

[Read more on the Natural Rivers Act from Environment News magazine.]

• March 8, 1987 - Judge Davis makes the injunction on catch & release permanent. Jim Schramm from the Anglers and an attorney for the MNRC begin an appeal strategy.

     Au Sable News & Notes, first issue, March 1987

       [Click for full size.]

• March 15, 1987 - The Anglers publishes its first newsletter, a six page flier, Au Sable News & Notes, edited by Jim Enger. News & Notes is the major vehicle for recruiting new members to the fledgling organization.
• June 1987 - Anglers pressure Gov. Blanchard and DNR Director Guyer to reverse decision to allow Michigan National Guard to use an additional 41,000 acres of state land.
  
• August 1, 1987 - The first annual membership meeting is held in Gaylord due to Grayling businesses opposing catch and release; 75 of the now 670 members attend the meeting. Glen Sheppard of the North Woods Call and Dan Alstott of the AuSable/Manistee Action Committee are guest speakers.
• Sep.-Oct. 1987 - The Department of Military Affairs (DMA; i.e. Michigan National Guard) publishes Camp Grayling Master Plan which proposes expanded training at the Camp-including a new multi-purpose range complex (MPRC)-increasing noise and pollution. Au Sable Manistee Action Committee sues to block expansion and to limit training to just Michigan Guardsmen.
  
• November 1987 - Anglers send members Alert: "Total Force and the Rape of the Au Sable" generating a large letter writing campaign opposing Camp Grayling expansion. Vernon Andrews, Adjutant General of Michigan Guard, threatens to sue Anglers. Membership tops 790, making it the largest FFF chapter and winning numerous membership incentives as a result.

  [Top] [Home]

1988

• January 1988 - Anglers meet with Vernon's DMA staff to discuss the MPRC, sewage problems and noise pollution. DMA presents a formal response to our Alert and a 44 question inquiry. Angler prepare a 42-page reply addressing each DMA response.
  
• March 1988 - Anglers co-finance DNR Angler Survey Study.
• April 1988 - Anglers begin a comprehensive water temperature study on Au Sable. Anglers provide input into Au Sable Natural River Plan and Blue Ribbon program. Also, club sponsors first erosion study of river system.
  
• May 1988 - Wall Street Journal and CBS Evening News run stories on Camp Grayling conflict; Anglers and AMAC are mentioned. Angler adopt Camp Grayling Accord, our official position on the MPRC and environmental problems at the Camp.

The Quality Fishing Forum
was one feature of the 1988
GLC Conclave, hosted by the Anglers.

• June 1988 - Anglers host FFF Great Lakes Conclave in Roscommon and co-sponsor a Michigan student intern working at FFF's West Yellowstone headquarters. Governor Blanchard creates a widely diverse 11-person Camp Grayling Management Advisory Committee (CGMAC); Angler board member and attorney Jim Schramm appointed.
  
• August 1988 - Anglers instrumental in recruiting opposition attendance at Guard public hearings.
  
• October 1988 - Anglers win in court over FOIA suit against Guard. Anglers retire Au Sable News & Notes and introduce The Riverwatch.
  
• November 1988 - Michigan Court of Appeals upholds catch and release regulations for Mainstream, a huge victory for the Anglers. The new regulation went into effect April, 1989.

  [Top] [Home]

1989

• January 1989 - CGMAC submits a watered down report to the Governor listing 43 recommendations for future management of Camp Grayling; a "Minority Report" issued by the DMA soon followed disputing the "reasonableness" of 16 of the recommendations. The Anglers voice displeasure over the compromised document.
  
• March 1989 - Anglers co-sponsor DNR Au Sable Voluntary Catch Survey.
• April 1989 - Complying with one of CGMAC's recommendations, Guard ceases training on Opening Day and other major holiday weekends. Guard releases draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Camp. The Anglers are highly critical of the document and submit a detailed 17 page response in June 1989.
• May 1989 - Cortland Line Co. and Martin Reel lend financial support to our efforts. Anglers co-fund the South Branch radio telemetry study sponsored by the DNR and the University of Michigan.
  
• July 1989 - Due in part to federal tax subsidies, natural gas exploration in the Antrim Shale layer has steadily increased. Over 1,500 wells are drilled in Montmorency, Crawford and Otsego counties since 1984. One thousand additional permits issued by DNR in 1989.
  
• August 1989 - Per CGMAC, Governor Blanchard establishes Camp Grayling Advisory Council. The Council ultimately adopted a different (and very pro-Guard) set of 43 recommendations (submitted obliquely by the DMA) called the "Black Book." The Anglers denounced this and prepared a "Green Book," which explained in detail the differences between the committee's original recommendations and those of the DMA. However, in April, 1990, Blanchard instructed the Council to implement the "Black Book," effectively ignoring recommendations from a committee he originally appointed.
  
• September 1989 - Anglers uncover a plan to test a laser guided missile system at Camp Grayling heretofore kept secret. Under threat of a law suit filed jointly by the Anglers, MUCC and AMAC, an agreement was made with the DMA to control the use and scope of testing. (The DMA later violated several areas of the agreement.)
  
• October 1989 - Anglers join American Rivers Foundation as an affiliate.
  
• December 1989 - The Anglers and AMAC co-draft a letter to Governor Blanchard demanding DMA's Vernon Andrews be fired.There was no response.

  [Top] [Home]

1990

• January 1990 - Anglers give financial support to Au Sable Conservation Trust, a grassroots group aimed at uncovering industrial contamination in Crawford and adjacent counties.
  
• May 8, 1990 - Fire starts adjacent to Thendara Road, burns 11,000 acres and destroys scores of homes.
  
• July 1990 - Anglers earmark $5,000 for removal of Salling Dam with the hope of lowering the mean water temperatures in the Mainstream. Anglers receive corporate contributions from Patagonia and Orvis.
  
• August 1990 - Anglers win the FFF Stanford Miller Conservation Award, given each year for outstanding achievement in the broadest areas of fishery related conservation and enhancement. This included a cash award of $1,300. Anglers co-fund an additional intern at FFF. Anglers reverse closing of 7,000 acres of land (to be used by the Guard for weapons testing) traditionally open to hunting and reach an agreement with the Guard to reduce testing area from 25 to 3 square miles.
  
• September 1990 - Anglers begin monitoring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydropower Relicensing Process, which will affect scores of dams in Michigan, including six on the Au Sable. Anglers attend ORV public hearing and support "closed unless posted open" regulation proposed by Michigan Rep. Tom Alley.
  
• October 1990 - Due in part to advice from the Anglers, DNR purchases 1,200 acre derelict Rayburn property on Mainstream which was at one time destined to be a luxury subdivision and golf resort. Gov. Engler signs ORV bill closing trails to in the Lower Peninsula unless posted open.
  
• November 1990 - With pressure from AMAC and the Anglers, DNR issues third draft of a consent order that charges the Department of Military Affairs (National Guard) is in violation of the Michigan Hazardous Wastes Management Act, the Michigan Air Pollution Act, among others. The DMA refuses to sign consent order.

  [Top] [Home]

1991

• February 1991 - With Engler in office, Camp Grayling Advisory Council is all but defunct. Vernon Andrews is replaced by Gordon Stump.
  
• April 1991 - The Anglers sponsor a writing contest at Grayling High School, the required topic being the Au Sable River. Three winners were selected, each of whom won a Sage rod, Ross reel and Orvis line.
  
• May 1991 - Draw down and removal of Salling Dam begins.
• July 1991 - Anglers discover illegal regulation of the Lake St. Helen dam which was causing extreme low water conditions. After DNR pressure, the dam's owner removed all boards at once resulting in a flood of the South Branch. The Anglers encouraged the DNR to establish procedures and a legal lake level to prevent this from happening again.
  
• August 1991 - Anglers win the MacKenzie Cup, awarded by the FFF to the outstanding club of the year. Director Jim Schramm wins FFF's Man of the Year award for his conservation and legal work with the Anglers, Great Lakes Council and national FFF.
  
• September 1991 - Anglers join Trout Unlimited's Michigan State Council, FFF's Great Lakes Council and Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) form the Michigan Hydropower Relicensing Coalition to formally address FERC dam relicensing projects in Michigan.

  [Top] [Home]

1992

• January 1992 - Au Sable River Protection Association, a Grayling citizen's group, forms to preserve the city's City Park Dam and Millpond (Stump Pond). The Anglers call on the DNR to conduct temperature studies of the Millpond to measure the effects of the removal of Salling Dam. Anglers support removal of the City Park Dam. Dam is still in place today, though as of April 2001, the DNR is proposing a lowering of the dam's release level by as much as one foot over the next ten years in addition to creating a stubble ramp to aid upstream fish passage.)
  
• February 1992 - Per the consent order, now legally binding, DNR orders DMA to conduct contamination test on the air artillery range, Range 40. AMAC's lawsuit against the DMA regarding the interpretation of the original Hansen land trust goes to the Michigan Supreme Court. AMAC contends trust stipulates training by Michigan troops only, and not Guard units from other states.
  
• March 1992 - Anglers announce Fishing Flies of the Au Sable shadow box fund-raiser. Anglers make largest contribution to Crawford County Sheriff's marine patrol along Au Sable during periods of high canoeing activity. Anglers draft Resolution on Watercraft Use on Au Sable and distribute to liveries and DNR.
  
• July 1992 - Anglers join the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee, which has begun a program of restoration for the Au Sable's three branches.
  
• August 1992 - Widespread, unchecked Antrim explorations continues. Anglers support the formation of the Michigan Environmental Trust, Limited (METL), chartered to combat further environmental destruction of stream, wetland and upland habitat by gas producers.
  
• September 1992 - Angler board member Dick Daane, representing METL, files suit in Ingham County Circuit Court against the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and DNR Director Roland Harmes, stating that the DNR was neglecting its oversight duties in issuing drilling permits and was in violation of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act., among other claims. Judge Carolyn Stell granted most of the temporary injunctions filed by Daane, including ordering the DNR to produce a Antrim-wide EIS by June 30, 1993.

  [Top] [Home]

1993

• May 1993 - Anglers lend support to the Upper Manistee River Association (UMRA).
  
• June 30, 1993 - DNR delivers Antrim EIS, which METL critiqued as largely boiler-plate and entirely deficient in content without addressing the real impacts to the environment from large scale drilling. METL asked for a summary judgement from the court given the ill-prepared EIS. Judge Stell ruled too many factual issues remained unresolved and scheduled the matter for trial for June 6, 1994. However, METL lauded one part of the EIS developed by DNR fisheries biologists Gaylord Alexander and Andy Nuhfer that predicted continued sedimentation from drilling and production activities would, conservatively, precipitate an annual trout loss of 70,000 fish per year. (By this time, over 3,000 wells had been drilled or were planned.)
  
• August 1993 - Anglers are awarded the 1993 FFF Conservation Award at the International FFF Conclave in Montana. The Anglers publish Mike Delp's chapbook of poetry, The Text of the River, as a fundraiser.
  
• September 1993 - Working with the Au Sable Restoration Committee and Huron Pines RC&D, the Anglers complete six stream restoration sites on the Mainstream and North Branch with funding from the Jon Wisotzkey Memorial Fund.
  
• November 1993 - The DMA issues a Draft Environmental Assessment of Camp Grayling's proposed "Multiple Launch Rocket System, Unit Reorganization/Conversion and Fielding." (This is the same weapons system seen on CNN during the Gulf War.) The Anglers review and produce a detailed, nine-page, 33 part written response outlining serious flaws to the anticipated environmental impacts of such a system, among other concerns.

  [Top] [Home]

1994

• January 1994 - In response to the consent order issued in 1992, the DMA informs the DNR that it is uncertain which activities on Range 40 might or might not have contributed to the contamination found in the soil and ground water samples. It also espoused a far-fetched theory that a renegade Canadian glacier has something to do with problems on Range 40 (now listed by the DNR as a P.A. 307 contamination site).
  
• February 1994 - The Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition, of which the Anglers is a member, is honored by the American Rivers Foundation for its outstanding efforts to restore Michigan rivers and their fisheries through hydropower dam reform.
  
• May 1994 - The Anglers underwrite an MSU graduate biology student for a summer internship to investigate soil erosion at stream crossings of the Au Sable.
  
• June 1994 - The Anglers announce a multi-year fundraising campaign, AuSableFunds2000, to raise capital for what it has identified as six primary project areas that have a strategic impact on the Au Sable.
  
• June 1, 1994 - METL settles out of court: in a victory for both METL and the Anglers, Judge Stell signs a permanent injunction applying to 15 counties requiring pipeline crossings to be bored beneath streams instead of trenched. Stell orders a hearing with the Supervisor of Wells to hear arguments to expand the well spacing from the present 40 acres per well to 80 to 160 acres. The hearings are scheduled for November. AMAC loses Hanson lawsuit to the DMA.
  
• July 1994 - The DMA, after five years of delay, releases the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for expansion activities at Camp Grayling-including the proposed Multi-Purpose Range Complex-Heavy. AMAC sues the DMA et al in U.S. District Court alleging the FEIS is still seriously flawed and does not meet the National Environmental Policy Act's standards for an EIS. In the suit AMAC accuses the DMA of ignoring important and new information and the changing circumstances since the Draft EIS was published in 1989-including the significant amounts ofcontamination found on Range 40 and elsewhere.
  
• July 15, 1994 - The MHRC (including the Anglers) helps broker a landmark agreement between the DNR and Consumers Power. Consumers agrees to unprecedented wide-ranging modifications and conditions (fish passage, run-of-river, etc.) in managing its dams on the Au Sable and other rivers.
  
• August 1994 - Anglers win the national FFF Stanley Lloyd Award (and $1,300) in recognition for aggressive restoration efforts underway along the Au Sable. Anglers elevate awareness of the importance of large woody debris in a sustainable trout fishery through meetings with the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee (ARWRC).
  
• September 1994 - The Anglers, the Au Sable North Branch Association, the Au Sable River System Property Owners Association, Kalkaska County, Garfield Township, Lovells Township and the Michigan Council of TU join the AMAC lawsuit. The Anglers form an alliance with the Headwaters Land Conservancy, a private group chartered to protect critical lands along some of Michigan's best trout streams. Anglers conclude third Sheriff's River Patrol season.
  
• December 1994 - For his conservation work, Rusty Gates awarded Fly Rod & Reel's Angler of the Year.

  [Top] [Home]

1995

• January 1996 - METL receives key, favorable decisions in Antrim suit regarding well spacing and gas transmission line stream crossings.
• March 1995 - U.S. District Court rules against AMAC, the Anglers et al regarding the challenge to the Camp Grayling Final EIS-a huge disappointment-thus freeing the Guard to begin building the Multi-Purpose Range Complex. The Guard is also given the go ahead to stage the Multiple Launch Rocket System.
  
• May 1995 - Anglers underwrite an Adrian College intern to collect canoeing impact data and conduct water turbidity studies along the Mainstream.
• May 1995 - After a carefully prepared application developed by director Jay Gleason to solicit funding from Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT's) federal ISTEA funding, $125,000 granted for improvement of stormwater drains near many of the Au Sable system's bridges.
  
• June 1995 - Supervisor of Wells orders Antrim well spacing changed from 40 to 80 acres per well permanently effective for 22 counties, a victory for METL and the Anglers.
• Auguest 1995 - Stream Improvement & Trout Habitat Protection Seminar at 8th Annual Membership Meeting in held at Garland Resort in Lewiston.
  
• November 1995 - Anglers and the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee complete restoration of 29 soil erosion sites. Also, Anglers help fund over 400 stream repairs/restoration of instream fish structure and habitat enhancement. Many more sites will be repaired in 1996.

  [Top] [Home]

1996

• March 1996 - Macroinvertabrate Drift Density Study begun.
• April 1996 - Anglers celebrate 10 Year Anniversary with a dinner and auction held in Gaylord's Hidden Valley Resort. Over 200 members and friends attend. $25,000 raised through the auction.
• May 1996 - Stormwater and Snowmelt Runoff Study initiated.
• September 1996 - First Annual River Clean-Up held. 65 members and friends volunteer.
• October 1996 - Large Woody Debris Pilot Project begun.

[Top] [Home]

1997

• February 1997 - Anglers win Huron Pines Award from Huron Pines RC&D (USDA).
• March 1997 - Trout population study initiated.
• April 1997 - In-stream restoration project begins. Anglers co-fund three-person crew to repair structure.
• July 1997 - Anglers co-sponsor cedar planting project. (See January 2001 issue of The Riverwatch for a related article.)

• August 1997 - Anglers & A/MAC launch investigation in noise pollution at Camp Grayling. Camp Grayling water contamination study initiated.
• September 1997 - Forrest Dunes golf course/luxury home development on the old South Branch Ranch property threatens water table and drainage along South Branch. Anglers appoint a liaison, director George Alexander, to monitor the project.

• September 1997 - Anglers present new 16' Mad River Discovery canoe to Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Mark Lutz. Officers to use the canoe for river patrols. [Anglers wish to thank Benchmark Outfitters (Farmington, MI) and member Paul Goodman for a partial donation on the purchase of the canoe.]

[Top] [Home]

1998

• June 1998 - Anglers Rapid Response Team (George Alexander and Bernie Fowler) clears and anchors massive blowdow of trees along the lower South Branch as a result of a tornado. Thouh the pair has been recovering trees for some time, this event marks the official beginning of George and Bernie's ongoing response to recovering downed trees along the river and transforming them into trout cover.
• August 1998 - Director Dorothy Schramm wins 1998 FFF Woman of the Year
• September 1998 - Over 150 volunteer for 3rd Annual River Clean-Up.
• October 1998 - Large Woody Debris Enhancement Project completed.
• December 1998 - 350 in-stream structures repaired in 1998.
  

[Top] [Home]

1999

• February 1999 - Au Sable River Words Annual Writing Contest launched.
• April 1999 - Water quality/run-off studies initiated.
• June 1999 - Anglers investigate violations of Natural River Act by new canoe livery.
• July 1999 - Anglers call for canoe user fee.
• September 1999 - Anglers continue support of investigation of ground water contamination at Camp Grayling.

[Top] [Home]

2000

• January 2000 - Anglers win fourth FFF Instream Conservation Grant for stream restoration.
• February 2000 - Anglers win Allstate Helping Hands Grant for river clean-up.
• June 2000 - Detroit News highlights the potential for ground water pollution at Camp Grayling. See article.
• July 2000 - Anglers announce plans for a multi-year fundraising effort, initially called the Capital Campaign.
• August 2000 - Forest Dunes falls into receivership.
• September 2000 - 210 members and friends help make the 5th Annual River Clean-Up a huge success.
• October 2000 - Fifty trees are airlifted by helicopter for fifth annual large woody debris project.

[Top] [Home]

2001

• February 2001 - Anglers win second Allstate Helping Hands Grant for river clean-up.
• February 2001 - Bill Sodeman has accepted the position of editor of the Riverwatch. He replaces Bob Linsenman who will be pursuing other activities. Thanks Bob for a job well done.
• February 2001 - Michigan Hydropower Relicensing Coalition (MHRC)A three year water quality study has been completed on the Manistee and the Au Sable Rivers. The initial findings reveal that there are water quality violations, particularly in regard to water temperature. The resource agencies and the Coalition will make recommendations to Consumers Power to alleviate or mitigate these violations.
• February 2001 - The Au Sable Watershed Assessment is available on line at: www.dnr.state.mi.us/www/ifr/ifrlibra/special.htm
• March 2001 - Anglers particpate in Michigan Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Expo in Southfield for the 12th time.
• June 2001 - Sponsorships - Anglers appropriate $2,500 for working sheriffs patrol on the river during busy commercial canoe weekends, in the summer months.
• June 2001 - Dan Drislane launches new website for club. www.ausableanglers.org
• June 2001 -Habitat Structure - Anglers approve of $10,000 for in-stream habitat structures on North Branch to be implemented by Huron Pines Resource Conservation and Development Area Council (HPRC&D).
• June 2001 -Huron Pines Resource Conservation and Development Area Council Inc. is so concerned with lawsuits that they didn't put new structures in the river. Property owners own the bottom of the river to the center of the stream. If you put structure in the river, you own it along with the liability for that structure. Huron Pines only wants to repair current DNR structures. Board attorneys will look into the liability issue.
• June 2001 -DNR Fisheries Division drops 90% of electro shocking survey sites on the Au Sable, due to downsizing of department, from over three hundred to roughly one hundred seventy five personnel. DNR offices in Grayling, Mio & Ishpeming have been closed to the public. (Back door is always open).
• June 2001 -St Helen Dam - The dam was modified without the required DEQ permit being sent to Fisheries Biologist Steve Sendek, for his input. Lake St Helen was nine inches above the court ordered lake level, significantly lowering the water levels on the South Branch. Anglers and Sendek will contact County Commissioners to indicate that this situation is not acceptable.
• June 2001 -Head Waters Restoration Funding Grant - A group of watershed parties and resource managers will seek a major ten-year grant of Pitman/Robertson funds for habitat restoration work. The ten-year proposal will be split into two five-year grants. The restoration committee agrees to allocate funds by stream section. Three years of habitat restoration for the North Branch, three years Mainstream, three years South Branch, one year on the East Branch. Rusty is on the committee.
• September 2001- River Clean Up - Approximately 150 people attended the 6th annual river cleanup. As well as another 40 in the stretch from Mio to Comins Flats. Special thanks to Terry and Gina Lyons for coordinating the George Alexander Memorial luncheon.
• September 2001 - Steve Sendek is presented the "Riverkeeper Award" for his stalwart efforts to improve and enhance the Au Sable watershed.
• September 2001 - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) - Hydro Coalition has filed suit against FERC on Foote Dam issue. Consumers has taken an effectiveness study and turned it into an entrainment study, reducing the amount they would have to pay by 95%. Consumers also would not have to put in fish protection. Anglers approve funds to support MHRC.
• September 2001- December 2001- Riverwatch website is to be consolidated with new Anglers site.
• September 2001 - Indian Treaty Rights issue is on our horizon. A State court challenge is expected.
• September 2001 - South Branch - 40 Year low water level recorded at Smith Bridge due to new structure at lake St Helen. Anglers Board to investigate placement of a monitoring station at Steckart Bridge, just outside Roscommon.
• September 2001 - Structure Liability - HPRC&D warned us of potential legal difficulties that might arise with putting structure in the river. Mark Daane researched this and found we are covered three ways. Government immunity: The Recreational Land Use Act: and Insurance.
• September 2001 - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) - Consumers has filed amendments on ten other licenses over the same issue of fish entrainment. Consumers is asking to have the $640,000 they now pay for fish entrainment reduced to $40,000. The Department of Justice has intervened on this issue. The big battles are still ahead. Water quality and the escrow fund for dam removal and/or fish passage are still to be addressed.
• September 2001 - House Bill 5431 - The bill states: "In the waters over which the State has jurisdiction, a person under ten years of age may fish with a rod and any bait. A person under ten years of age is subject to a creel limit of 1 where the creel limit is otherwise 0." Representative Joe Rivit feels that kids are being unfairly handicapped by having to use fly fishing equipment and flies. This bill undermines the restrictions that are now in place on several rivers throughout the state. It sends the wrong message to the young angler that wildlife management philosophies, practices and regulations are not important.
• September 2001 - Au Sable River Words, Writing Contest - There are four schools involved at this time, Grayling, Oscoda, Mio and Roscommon. Tess is seeking their full participation, and letters have been sent explaining: The prizes, how it works, why we sponsor this program, and the theme of the competition.

  [Top] [Home]

2002

• March 2002 - Duke Grimshaw becomes editor of the Riverwatch.
• Headwaters Land Conservancy (HLC) - Anglers appropriate $2,500 to go toward securing Conservation Easements throughout the watershed. Property owners receive a tax break for donating their future development rights to the HLC.
• Trees for Trout - Anglers kick off the South Branch full tree habitat project. Stream crew is to begin working at Chase Bridge and head downstream. Check is written for $34,000 to underwrite project. The source of the funds is as follows: $10,000 from Anglers, with other funds coming from various Midwest fishing organizations, and private individuals. Total project is expected to take three years, and approach $120,000 in funding.
• South Branch Flow Study - A prospectus was sent out to environmental groups regarding installation of a flow monitoring station at Steckart Bridge.
• HB5431 - What is now know as "The Worm Bill" has been tie-barred to another piece of legislation. HB5556 would increase the number of quality regulation river miles from one hundred to two hundred miles. Board members were encouraged to take steps to have the tie bar broken.
• April 2002
• Racing Canoes - Jeff Kolka came to our meeting to hear concerns about racing canoes and how they impact the fishing on the Au Sable. He will take our concerns and suggestions with him to the next Michigan Canoe Racing Association (MCRA) meeting and use this information to educate paddlers on how they can be more respectful toward anglers. He suggested that one thing we can do is to let the paddlers know what side we wish them to pass, so they impact our fishing minimally. Anglers board members volunteered to work with Jeff on a short list of rules of the river etiquette for paddlers and anglers to follow.
• Indian Treaty Rights - John Wernet of the Michigan Attorney General's Office attended our meeting to explain the Indians inland fishing rights and how they will impact anglers across the State.
• Au Sable River Words, Writing Contest - The writing contest is going well. 18 entries have been received. The packets were sent out to the judges for their review. Awards will be handed out at the GLC-FFF Conclave this year.
• Lake St Helen Dam - The dam is currently being operated above the summer levels as of March of this year. Commissioners were made aware of this and appeared to ignore the alert. DNR Fisheries in Lansing has been notified, as well as the Attorney General's office that there is a violation of the settlement agreement in regard to water levels agreed to a couple years ago.
• Trout Unlimited Dinner - The Mason Chapter of Trout Unlimited banquet this year will be held in honor of former board member George Alexander. The Anglers Board will have a strong representation at this event.
• Cedar Tree Planting - Ron Balaskovitz has agreed to chair the committee to coordinate cedar tree planting at the same time as the Annual River clean up activities.
• June 2002
• River Patrols - The Anglers decline to fund anymore river patrols, unless the sheriff's department can show that we are getting something for this. We've spent approximately $15,000 over ten years. It is illegal to operate a watercraft on the waters of the state while under the influence of alcohol. Arenac County officers routinely write an average of fifty tickets a weekend on the Rifle River. The most Crawford County has ever written was fifty-five, in a single year. Other than a uniformed officer presence, it was felt we got very little bang for our bucks.
• HB5431 - The original worm bill has been changed to allow only flies to be used on the flies only water.
• Commercial Watercraft - Commercial watercraft terminology must be redefined. Since the implementation of the Natural Rivers Act in 1987, there has been an increase of other watercraft, i.e. kayaks & tubes, which have added significantly to the overall numbers of vessels on the water. New regulations should include User fees, float times, tube rentals, and a cap on overall numbers. The State is working on a system for user fees of commercial watercraft use of State owned access sites at this time. Commercial river guides would also be licensed, to use these same sites.
• September 2002
• HB5431 - The worm bill has passed. This bill applies to children 12 and under. Children would have to fish with flies, on the flies only water with a limit of one fish 8-12 inches. This includes the waters where the regulation is a zero harvest. Representative Rivit, whom owns a cabin off Shaw Park Road, can now teach his children to ignore regulations made for the general public.
• Mason Tract - Annual meeting was held with resource managers and other interested parties. Logging is based on a one hundred year rotation, or cutting 10% of the forest ever ten years. Under terms of the Mason Tract Management Plan, no cuts were to be greater than ten acres. It is now felt that some cuts are better done at one time, up to forty acres, due to having to reopen and close logging roads to gain access.
• The United States Forest Service representative announced a lease for an exploratory gas well, near the Chapel. Rusty asked the others in the room about possible implications to the Mason Tract.
• Mason Tract Habitat Project - DNR wants us to physically map tree placement sites. They also want to know water depth, water volumes, the angle that the trees will be put in at and the percentage of river this will block.
• Sponsorships - The Anglers sponsor funds for the Cedars for the Au Sable project, Huron Pines RC & D, American Rivers and the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition.

  [Top] [Home]

2003

• January 2003 - Contaminated Plume -The Anglers become aware of groundwater contamination heading toward the river. This is from an unlined dump in Grayling Township used throughout the 60's and early 70's, before a County wide refuse area was established. It is believed that each Township had its own unlined dumping facility. The State has monitoring wells in place and we will monitor this situation closely.
• January 2003 - Mason Tract Habitat - Anglers cut a check for $34,400 to fund the continuing full tree placement project on the South Branch. A four person crew from Huron Pines has proved very cost effective, at approximately $50 per tree placed, versus the cost of using a heavy life helicopter at $350 per tree. It is anticipated the crew will make it to Smith Bridge, covering the entire Mason Tract by late fall. Once again, the club would like to thank all those people and organizations that contributed to make this happen.
• January 2003 - Natural Rivers Act Zoning - Both Grayling and Lovells Townships are having issues with implementation of the requirements of this river protection act. The townships don't want to be responsible for this, as it often pits neighbors against neighbors. There are also several new commercial enterprises, specifically B & B operations, which weren't in existence when the Act was written. Short-term rentals are also being targeted, as cabins are often advertised, and run as a commercial adventure. The resulting traffic on stream has resulted in lawsuits being filed by neighbors against the Townships. The Townships should be encouraged to amend their existing zoning in the river district to deal with these issues.
• June 2003 - Mason Tract Drilling - A Scoping Document was received detailing plans for South Branch Well 1-8. This well is to be slant drilled from U.S. Forest Service land, to a mineral lease under State owned land, under the Mason Tract. George W. Mason owned many parcels in this area, but never had an interest in this one 40-acre parcel, where the mineral lease lies. In 1959, in a land exchange to even out the boundaries of what we know today as "The Mason Tract", the State acquired the surface rights to this 40-acre parcel, while the Forest Service kept their mineral rights.
• June 2003 -The Anglers put out the call to stop this drilling, which is considered an encroachment on the river system. This call resulted in the most comments ever received for a single US Forest Service project. This is hallowed ground as far as the fly fishing community is concerned. Very quickly we were able to rally all units of Government to our cause. It received statewide press.
• In a letter from Governor Granholm to the Forest Service she says, "The proposed location for this drilling site is too close to one of the most cherished natural sites in our state. The U.S. Forest Service has the opportunity now to look for alternate locations for the drilling pad that are further from the Mason Tract and further away from the South Branch of the Au Sable River."
• September 2003 - River Clean Up - Approximately 175 folks attend the upper river Annual River Clean Up. Another 50 folks worked below Mio. Anglers are now walking approximately 90 river miles, on an annual basis, cleaning all matter of foreign debris from the stream.
• September 2003 -Mason Tract Drilling - So many folks responded to help, a special committee was formed to take on the drilling issue. They have been nicknamed, "Au Sable Special Forces". Forest Service tried to "Categorically Exclude" the original scoping document. Second Scoping Document is now due out by November 17th. Sierra Club successfully had this withdrawn on the grounds that it required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis.

  [Top] [Home]

2004

• March 2004 - River Updates - We are waiting for an Attorney General response on the current number of canoes allowed each canoe livery. Many have expanded their rental fleet since the enactment of the Natural Rivers Act, (NRA). It is noted that Parmalee Trading Post is now launching canoes at Morley Road, on the lower North Branch. Traditionally there has been no commercial canoe activity on this stretch of stream.
• March 2004 -There are at least three lawsuits against Grayling Township for allowing new B & B's along the river. This is contrary to the rules set up by the NRA. The neighbors have banded together to sue.
• March 2004 -The Crawford County Police and DNR did a sting operation last year to catch drunk canoeists and will likely do another this year.
• March 2004 -Grant money has been received by Huron Pines to fund the Grayling Storm Water improvement project.
• March 2004 -Tom Buhr has become the new Riverwatch editor.
• March 2004 -Mason Tract Drilling - The State has denied any seismic testing on any Mason Tract lands. The testing will start on the Federal land adjacent to the Mason Tract soon.
• June 2004 - Mason Tract Drilling - Representative Matt Gillard sponsors a bill aimed at protecting the Mason Tract as well as other wilderness areas in the State.
• June 2004 -Natural Rivers Act Zoning - Lovells Township approves a ban on rentals of less than 30 days in the rivers greenbelt corridor. What this means is that anyone renting for less than 30 days would have to have the property rezoned to commercial. New commercial enterprises are forbidden by the Natural Rivers Act.
• September 2004 - Sponsorships - Anglers approve funding for Tribal Lawsuit negotiations and funds for the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition.
• September 2004 - River Clean Up - Approximately 200 folks turn out to clean the upper river. Another 50 folks hit the Mio to McKinley stretch. Another team planted 50 new cedar trees along the South Branch, in the Mason Tract. Kudos' to all for their time and effort in keeping the river clean!
• September 2004 - Mason Tract Drilling - The Forest Service Environmental Assessment was released in August. "Special Forces" committee is in the process of comments for the EA. There are glaring holes in this report.
• December 2004 - Mason Tract Drilling - The Au Sable "Special Forces" committee files a 13-page letter with Forest Service on Environmental Assessment review and comments. Focus was on a lack of documentation to make a sound decision based on the information available. This included effects of noise, economic impact, recreational effect, and violations of existing statues. The EA appears to be written with the goal of issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), without any consideration for the human element.
• December 2004 - Nestle Water Suit - Anglers file an Amicus brief in Nestle Water suit, opposing bottling water from Michigan resources for commercial purposes that would create an adverse resource impact.
• December 2004 - Mill Pond Dam - Contractors are on site and will work through the winter months on a draw down structure to slowly decrease the stump pond 12 inches over time. Over 80% of the pond is less than a foot deep and acts as a solar collector, artificially heating the water released to the river during the warm summer months.

  [Top] [Home]

2005

• March 2005 - Mason Tract Drilling - The Decision Notice/FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) was issued late January. The "Special Forces" committee had thirty days to file, firing off a 21-page document hammering the Forest Service once again for their cursory efforts to mitigate our concerns and approve drilling under the Mason Tract.
• March 2005 - Mill Pond Dam - Fish from downstream are now swimming in Frederic because the drawdown structure in place now allows for fish passage. The dam will be slowly lowered over the next 3-5 years.
• May 2005 - Kolke Creek - Merit Energy has requested a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permit to dump treated water that was contaminated by a broken oilfield pipeline into Kolke Creek. The DNR only became aware of this when Merit requested permission to cross-State land with their pipeline. There have been huge objections by both Forestry and Fisheries Divisions of the DNR We have sixty days to contest this permit. Anglers attorneys will file appeal of this permit with DEQ in Lansing.
• May 2005 - Mason Tract Drilling - Our appeal of FONSI was denied May 4th. Anglers have now formed an alliance with Sierra Club and the Mason Family to file suit in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan. We filed June 7th citing violations of they National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the Minerals Leasing Act.
• May 2005 -Mineral Leases - 56 forty-acre parcels are listed for mineral leasing, between the Castle and Forest Dunes, just north of the South Branch. Seven of these are listed with surface development rights. We have been successful in having the DNR Director pull these off the table, citing another Mason Tract encroachment.
• September 2005 - River Clean Up - Well over 200 folks now attend this annual event. Special guest DNR Director Humphries attends and floats in a riverboat, plucking bags left from walking teams. Mio stretches are also cleaned. Cedar Tree crews plant another 50 new trees. Our survival rate of past tree planting efforts appears to be high.
• September 2005 - Sponsorships - Anglers support financially the Cedar Tree Program, Tribal Litigation, Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition (MHRC) with significant funds being spent on both the Mason Tract drilling and Kolke Creek litigation.
• September 2005 - Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited rescinded its offer of $1,000 to help the Anglers with the costs of fighting the Mason Tract suit. They also chose to pull their support from the Kolke Creek litigation. This is disturbing to the board as many of the individual chapters are supporting our efforts.
• December 2005 - Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition (MHRC) - A key settlement has been reached with Consumers resolving issues regarding fish kill compensation and fish protection installment plans. Consumers shall annually contribute to the State of Michigan Habitat Improvement Account, $212,258 dollars. They will also pay over a million dollars for 2001 & 2002 fish contribution payments, amortized over a ten year period. Bravo for board member Jim Schramm and all his efforts. Now onto the Boardman dams…
• December 2005 - Mason Tract Drilling - Notice was given to the Anglers on December 1st, that Savoy Energy planned to start clearing the well site on December 7th. A Temporary Restraining Order is drafted, and filed December 2nd. Morning of December 7th, Judge Lawson issues a Permanent Injunction, without oral arguments. Case, already scheduled, will now be heard on its full merits.

  [Top] [Home]

2006

• February 2006 - Kolke Creek - The Contested Case Hearings in front of an Administrative Law Judge in Lansing are on going. This is the process of disputing the NPDES permit itself. Merit has filed a motion attacking our "Standing" in the case.
• February 2006 - Mason Tract Drilling - Oral arguments are to be heard March 21st, in Bay City. While we have four legal eagles working on the case, we also have an expert litigator, Marianne Dugan of Eugene Oregon. Her specialty is NEPA cases.
• June 2006 - Mason Tract Drilling - Magistrate Judge Charles Binder has ruled, almost totally in our favor June 20, 2006. Recommendation: Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment be GRANTED: Defendants' Consolidated Motion for Summary Judgment be DENIED: the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the USA & State South Branch 1-8 Well Project be declared INADEQUATE: the Defendants be ENJOINED from using the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the USA & South Branch 1-8 Well Project: and the matter be REMANDED to the Defendants for further proceedings.
• June 2006 -20th Anniversary Celebration - The club has started taking reservations for a special opening day gathering in April 2007. We expect to be sold out by river clean up in September, more than six months in advance. Committees are already working on special auction items, prints, rods, meal planning, seating, etc.
• September 2006 - River Clean up - The annual clean up has become a huge event,with over 250 folks now walking the upper river beats, and more teams below Mio. Board coordination is a must to pull this off. Hats off for everyone pulling together to make it happen. Another 50 cedar trees planted on the Mason Tract.
• September 2006 - Perry Lake - We have been monitoring the request to establish a legal lake level on Perry Lake, located north of M-72. The judge has not established a special assessment district to pay for any changes in the current structure. Our concern would be that any structure would maintain an uninterrupted flow.
• September 2006 - Kolke Creek - Our attorneys have filed a motion in the 46th Circuit Court for Preliminary Injunction to stop any discharge into this Au Sable headwaters stream. It is expected the request for Injunction will be turned into a trial.
• September 2006 - NRA Zoning - Board member Alan Diodore has been on the committee writing the new zoning for South Branch Township. The Township concern is how portions of the river in their district develop. The zoning appears to be the most restrictive of all the green belt, river corridor, Natural Rivers Act implementation to date.
• September 2006 -Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition - Efforts are now concentrated on the removal of three dams on the Boardman River. Once removed there will be considerable amounts of new trout stream created.
• September 2006 - Mason Tract Drilling - Late fall, Savoy Energy drills Well 1-16, approximately two miles south of contested Well 1-8. A five acre drilling site is completely leveled, in the middle of Kirtland Warbler habitat. The on site brine pit is one hundred feet wide by three hundred feet long. This exploratory well came up empty…. dry hole.

  [Top] [Home]

2007

• March 2007 - 20th Anniversary Celebration - Meetings are held weekly throughout the winter months preparing for a gathering of 320 people on Opening Day. Wild game menu, printing of tickets, billings, seating, room layout, and learning curve to produce fifty plus page, full color, keepsake, banquet program.
• March 2007 - Kolke Creek - Thirteen days of hearings were held in the 46th District Court. Much of the testimony put forth involved volume and flow, specifically how much it would take to cause erosion, and sedimentation to travel downstream. The discharge system is designed to pump 700 gallons per minute, 24/7. We were able to produce Hydro Geologists, an Ecologist, and remediation specialists to prove beyond a doubt that this discharge would have a significant impact on the upper watershed. An additional focus was that Merit did not consider other alternatives and put these alternatives on the table for consideration.
• March 2007 - Au Sable River Words Writing Contest is completing its ninth year. Students from the four high schools along the Au Sable River are competing for U.S. Savings Bonds. All overall winners will have their entries published in the Riverwatch.
• April 2007 - 20th Anniversary Celebration - This gathering was a huge success. Anglers establish "Hall of Fame" for past board members whom have served unselfishly for many years. Dick Daane, Chauncey Lively, Ed McGlinn & George Alexander were duly honored to receive awards. Also receiving a lifetime achievement award was Glen Sheppard, of the North Woods Call, for his devotion to Conservation issues. Founding President Rusty Gates was presented a special bamboo fly rod, from the Anglers Board, in appreciation for his leadership over the past twenty years. The Anglers raise seriously needed funds to support their stream protection issues.
• July 2007 - Seasons on the Au Sable by Rusty Gates was released Opening Day 2007. Over 450 people helped sponsor this publication, at $100 apiece. All proceeds from the book are dedicated to the Anglers. Including commission checks from the publisher and profits on all retail books sold by club President Rusty Gates, through the shop.
• July 2007 - Kolke Creek - In late May 46th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Dennis F. Murphy ruled that the proposed discharge to Kolke Creek was clearly unreasonable, and would violate the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. "The use of surface water discharge is not necessary given the feasible and prudent alternative methods available for remediation of the contamination. The delicate ecosystem of Kolke Creek is not a suitable location for the discharge of treated water in the quantities proposed. These quantities will cause flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and turbidity that will harm aquatic life throughout Kolke Creek and Lynn Lake, and this harm significantly outweighs any benefits of utilizing Kolke Creek".
• July 2007 -While we were assured publicly that Merit would now go ahead with alternative plans for remediation, an Appeal was filed, now pending, to revisit the discharge to Kolke Creek. We are confident that the science put on the table the first time around, will stand up in any court level. Any discharge to Kolke Creek would cause serious environmental damage.
• July 2007 - Oil & Gas Committee - The Anglers have formed a coalition of statewide environmental and conservation groups to address oil and gas exploration, development, and remediation issues. The focus at this time is to address regulation and public comment requirements and how the public is involved with the permitting process of oil and gas leases. The objective of the group is to avoid another Kolke Creek or Mason Tract situation.
• September 2007 - Mason Tract Drilling - No news is good news. Magistrate Judge Binder's opinion was forwarded to Judge Lawson for review. Judge Lawson was then re-assigned to another District, taking our case with him. A permanent injunction is in place, meaning no activity on Well 1-8. An updated opinion could come at anytime.
• September 2007 - River Clean Up - At least 275 folks attended this years event. The Michigan Canoe Racing Association cleaned the river from Grayling to Burtons Landing. A warm welcome was extended for their assistance. Anglers as well as the Sierra Club planted another 50 cedar trees each, along the Mason Tract.
• September 2007 - Perry Creek - Late September Anglers had a meeting with DEQ Remediation Division. Hoskins Manufacturing Mio plant, 3 miles NE of Mio, manufactured thermoelectric nickel and chromium alloys in the form of wire, strip and ribbon. They operated from the late 1960's to 2001. Poor waste handling and chemical storage practices have caused serious groundwater contamination. The primary contaminants in the groundwater are PCE, hexavalent chromium and chlorides. The plume travels SE to Perry Creek and is approximately one half mile long. A portion of the groundwater contamination plume discharges to Perry Creek and a portion goes beneath and beyond (east of) Perry Creek, and is venting directly into the creek. PCE and chromium have been detected in the surface water samples in Perry Creek as far as 700 feet south of where the groundwater contamination enters the creek. A service contractor has been hired by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and removal of thousands of tons of contaminated soils is underway. The buildings are slated for demolition late fall of 2007 to access more contaminated source soils. Additional testing and groundwater investigations are underway to determine the extent of contamination to soil and aquatic organisms in Perry Creek. The task at hand is difficult. It is the integrated technology to remediate a "fruit salad" of contaminants at the same time. From both groundwater, and surface water systems are an issue in this case. We'll monitor the situation and possible offer private sector remediation consultants to help with the design of remediation alternatives. The Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited has offered to show their support for our resource protection issues by committing $5,000 toward our efforts.
  

Webmaster's Note: If you spot any errors in the record above, please contact the webmaster.

© Copyright 2001, Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified December 19, 2007 .