AuSable River Queen, Oscoda’s iconic paddleboat attraction, faces dismantlement after a contentious court ruling citing disputed safety and blight concerns.

Township Prevails in Battle to Remove AuSable Riverboat

In a bitter legal dispute, Oscoda Township officials have prevailed in a court battle against Laurie Rice, owner of the AuSable River Queen, a historic paddleboat that sank earlier this year. The ruling comes amid heated exchanges, accusations of misrepresentation, and allegations of unfair targeting by township authorities.

Owner Laurie Rice, who represented herself in court following a last-minute withdrawal by her attorney, expressed deep frustration, asserting she faced an overwhelming opposition comprised of township officials, uniformed officers, and a legal team determined to remove the vessel.

Key Allegations Spark Controversy and Legal Tensions

Central to the township’s argument was the assertion that the River Queen represented an “attractive nuisance,” especially given its proximity to the large Old Orchard Campground. Officials claimed in court that children from Michigan’s largest campground, purportedly adjoining the property, posed safety risks by accessing the boat.

However, Rice sharply refuted this claim, highlighting the campground’s actual distance of approximately 2.1 miles from her property, a fact township officials allegedly struggled to confirm when challenged.

“I had a chance to question the officer who stated that and asked him where that campground adjoined to my property, and after stumbling around, he couldn’t say,” Rice stated, highlighting inconsistencies in the township’s claims.

The judge, however, dismissed this objection as irrelevant, reinforcing the township’s position that the River Queen posed ongoing risks and blight.

Historical Context Raises Questions of Township’s Motives

Rice raised further questions about why the River Queen, previously repaired multiple times onsite at the township beach near a popular playground, had suddenly become unacceptable.

“It sat unattended from Fall 2009 until Spring 2010 right by what they call a big playground,” Rice emphasized. “We could repair it all those times, but why? It wasn’t an attractive nuisance then. I’m baffled.”

Rice alleged selective enforcement, noting the swift action taken against her hours after the sinking event in March 2025, and questioned the legitimacy of the significant financial charges imposed by Consumers Energy for alleged environmental remediation efforts.

Financial Disputes Amplify Courtroom Conflict

The township further bolstered its case by citing substantial existing debts allegedly owed by Rice, totaling six figures. Rice contested these claims, labeling them as “bogus” and disputing specific charges such as a purported $7,000 expense for boom deployment to contain nonexistent oil.

“There was no oil out here, so why would they be putting out boom? We were here and they were not,” Rice argued.

The contentious financial allegations amplified the courtroom tensions, further complicating Rice’s efforts to maintain ownership and control of the iconic riverboat.

Community’s Iconic Attraction Faces Uncertain Future

With the ruling, Rice now faces the daunting task of dismantling and relocating the AuSable River Queen. She indicated plans to move the vessel to River Road Storage, provided arrangements can be made, expressing hopes to return the historic paddleboat to its original location eventually.

The dispute has deeply affected Rice, who described the ordeal as transforming her life into a “chaotic, soul-sucking, dark and dismal existence.”

“I was harassed and lied to,” Rice stated emotionally. “Now my reality is that because THEY say so, I have to take my boat apart to reconstruct it somewhere else.”

Rice invited community members and media to a “bon voyage” gathering to highlight the perceived injustices inflicted upon what many locals consider a treasured piece of Americana.

Broader Implications for Oscoda Township

The court decision highlights tensions around property rights, historical preservation, and municipal authority in Oscoda Township. It prompts questions regarding the balance between public safety, economic interests, and community heritage.

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