? Pelican River Watershed Board Scales Back Zoning Authority

The Pelican River Watershed District Board has approved major changes to its local zoning role, shifting many of its permitting responsibilities to Becker County and the City of Detroit Lakes.
At a March meeting, the board voted 4–3 to adopt the revised 2025 district rules. As a result, the Watershed District will no longer regulate shoreline alterations, impervious surface thresholds, or other zoning-related permit issues in its service area. These duties will now fall under existing county and city zoning departments.
The board members who supported the changes say the district should now focus on larger-scale environmental priorities, such as E. coli mitigation in local lakes and the Campbell Creek stream restoration project.
Local listeners in Detroit Lakes, Lake Sallie, Lake Melissa, Long Lake, and the Floyd Lakes may see changes in where and how they apply for shoreline improvement permits or construction near the water. Instead of going through the watershed district, applications will now be processed through city or county offices.
The board’s updated rulebook is publicly available on the Pelican River Watershed District website at prwd.org.