Pelican River Watershed District

Operations Continuation Plan to Minimize COVID-19 Spread

March 19, 2020 - Updated April 3, 2020

To our community and colleagues, we hope everyone is doing well in light of these unprecedented times and events related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  The safety and well-being of our employees and our shared communities are of utmost importance to all of us at the Pelican River Watershed District. For that reason, beginning March 19, 2020 we will be practicing social distancing by working remotely until further notice to do our part in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. PRWD is following a government operations continuity plan that balances our government operations with the safety of our staff, our colleagues, and our community.

Pelican River Watershed District Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency

PRWD COVID-19 Continuity of Operations Plan

 What this Means

The Wells-Fargo Building was closed on March 19, 2020 and the PRWD's office will be closed to the public until at least April 10, 2020 or longer per the Governor's instructions.  The District will continue its critical operations (projects, permits, monitoring, financial) during this emergency period.

 All meetings and contacts will be conducted via e-mail, phone, or web conferencing. While the physical location of the work has changed, PRWD staff's commitment to excellent and prompt customer service has not. We’ll continue working on our projects and issuing permits using the remote-work technology tools we have at our disposal to communicate and conduct meetings (conference calls, video-teleconferencing).

E-mail is the preferred method of initial contact.

Permit Program: prwdpermit@arvig.net

Monitoring Program:  prwdmonitor@arvig.net

General Inquiries:  prwdinfo@arvig.net

Staff contacts are on the website at:  www.prwd.org

                Mail Address: 211 Holmes Street West, Suite 201, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

                Phone: 218-846-0436

PERMITS. PRWD will continue to receive and process permits.  The most efficient contact point is prwdpermit@arvig.net  or if a specific point of contact is needed leave a message at 218-846-0436 and your call will be returned within 24-hrs. Given our small office staff, we will work diligently to provide responsive customer service. On-site visits may continue following social distancing guidelines, however this may change if conditions warrant. Use of photos is strongly encouraged.

Permit Application Materials and Information: http://www.prwd.org/permits/apply-permit/

Submit permit information electronically.  Permitting materials, photos, plans, questions, and comments should be submitted electronically while the PRWD office is closed to the public. Permit application and review fees will still need to be mailed to the District office (see address above).   If electronic means are not available contact the office and we will provide further assistance.
 

Board of Managers meetings
The Board of Managers meetings will be conducted via teleconference or by other electronic means.  All details about Board of Managers meetings are available on our website at www.prwd.org or can be requested at www.prwdinfo@arvig.net (including instructions for attending a meeting via teleconference) or at 218-846-0436 (leave a message).

Stay Connected
This is a fluid, fast-moving situation that may change tomorrow.  Check our website (www.prwd.org) and Facebook (Pelican River Watershed District) for changes in our services and updates regarding office operations. Though our shared challenge ahead may be formidable, we remain committed to the community we serve.

District Work Plans

2020 PRWD Annual Operations Work Plan 

10-Year Monitoring Plan and Appendices

2020 Monitoring Work Plan

2020-2029 Revised Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan approval process update:

The 60 day comment period has ended and the District has incorporated proposed changes into the plan based upon comments received from MN Board of Water and Soil Resources, MN Department of Natural Resources, and MN Pollution Control Agency. A public hearing was held by MN Board of Water and Soil Resources Technical Committee on Thursday January 23rd, 2020 at 6:00 PM in the Becker County Commissioners Chambers, Detroit Lakes, MN. 

The following is the updated plan which incorporates changes made from comments received during the 60 day comment period.

2020-2029 Revised Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan

Appendix A: Land and Water Resources

Appendix B: Lake Report Cards

Appendix C: Input for Plan Partners

Appendix D: District Rules

Appendix E: Wenck LMP-01 Project Plan