December Monthly Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Board of Managers of the Pelican River Watershed District will be on December 17, 2020 at 3:00 PM.  Due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in Becker County at this time, we anticipate that this will be a virtual meeting.  Information on attendance will be posted here along with the board packet on December 11.

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Otter Tail River Watershed Input Needed

We need your input in the Otter Tail River Watershed! Water quality monitoring and assessment were recently completed in this watershed, spanning Clearwater, Becker, Otter Tail, and Wilkin counties, with small portions in Clay and Mahnomen counties. A draft report focuses on the improvements needed in water quality. However, the relatively few waterbodies that fail to meet state water quality standards are overshadowed by the vast number of lakes and streams with above average water quality. If you’d like to learn more and give us some feedback, please watch this video and respond to this survey (link in the video description).

Links- video= https://youtu.be/nBuhlysbrNs

Survey = https://forms.gle/h64RYde6upX1BVTV7

Pelican River Watershed District

Operations Continuation Plan to Minimize COVID-19 Spread

March 19, 2020 - Updated July 14, 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 we are operating in accordance with guidelines from the State of Minnesota. 

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 they are currently open by appointment only.  The PRWD's office continues to be closed to the public, but appointments may be set up as needed, however, masks and social distancing are required.  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 as much as possible.  PRWD staff's commitment to excellent and prompt customer service has not changed. 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).  The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2020.

District Work Plans

2020 PRWD Annual Operations Work Plan 

10-Year Monitoring Plan and Appendices

2020 Monitoring Work Plan

AIS Readiness Response Plan

The Pelican River Watershed District contracted with Ryan Wersal, PH.D., from Minnesota State University, Mankato to develope a plan to combat invasive plant infestations of Eursasian and Hybrid Watermilfoil, Starry Stonewort and Hydrilla if they make their way into our District.  The Plan was reviewed by MN DNR staff who was very complimentary of the procedures as written and have stated they will support the efforts of the District as outlined in the Plan.

To read the full plan - click here

2020 Lake Reports

Detroit Lake       Long Lake       Floyd Lake       Sallie      Melissa

Cost Share Program

The District has been busy this spring and summer issuing permits for work on the shoreline.  We encourage every one doing shore line work to consider applying for our Cost Share Program.  If you don't live on the lake and would like to plant a rain garden to enhance your yard and maybe promote pollinators, we encourage you to apply also.  Cost share funds can be used by public or private landowners within the District for implementing projects that assist in one or all of the following:

1.  Protect or restore quality of lakes and rivers.

2.  Protect or restore native plant communities and wildlife habitats with emphasis on lakes.

3.  Priority will be given to shore land and streambank restoration projects.

4.  Innovative approaches to treat stormwater at the source.

Funding is a 75% match of eligible expenses with a maximum level of $500 for single family homes, $1000 for condo and apartment complexes and $1500 for not-for-profit religious organizations, public and private schools, local government agencies and private businesses.

For more information:  Cost Share Program     Cost Share Application     Cost Share Maintenance Plan