County reappoints two Pelican River Watershed managers after months of contentious rule revisions

Becker County commissioners reappointed two managers to the Pelican River Watershed District on a pair of motions that passed during the board’s May 20 meeting.

The appointments followed more than an hour of public comment from residents, current and former watershed board members and project contractors who gave conflicting assessments of recent rule revisions and the watershed’s pace on major projects.

Supporters of reappointing Scott Busker and Dennis Kroll said the board needs experienced members to move long-stalled projects such as Campbell Creek and the Rice Lake project. “I would respectfully ask for your consideration for my reappointment as a manager on the Board of Managers for the Pelican River Watershed,” said Scott Busker as he described recent field visits and ongoing projects. Manager Rick Michaelson, who called for continuity, said the watershed had been through extensive discussion during the rules update and that debate did not equate to dysfunction: “When you discuss and and ask questions and represent your opinions, that doesn't mean it's a fight,” he told commissioners.

Opponents and some former managers said the rules process left unresolved concerns. John Olkerson, who has served 14 years in area watershed roles, told commissioners he was troubled that a portion of a year-long rules revision was ultimately voted down and described it as a costly outcome: “They wasted a hundred thousand dollars, roughly, of taxpayer money,” he said. Other speakers, including contractor Scott Walls, argued the watershed should prioritize large upstream projects that reduce contaminants over strict shoreline vegetation enforcement.

Commissioners heard repeated appeals that new members might help break long delays on construction-phase projects: Busker and others described visiting Bridal Lake, Campbell Creek, Sinclair Lake and other sites where they said engineering work and grant funding are in place. Dennis Kroll, a long-time manager who asked for reappointment, said he had worked on the Rice Lake project and the flowering-rush response and said he would provide continuity if reappointed.

After public comment and internal discussion, the board voted to reappoint Scott Busker and Dennis Kroll to the Pelican River Watershed District Board of Managers. Commissioners and watershed speakers emphasized that future progress will depend on both clear rules and cooperation with state agencies and landowners.

The watershed’s rules revision, personnel changes (new attorney and engineering firm) and a long list of projects — including Campbell Creek, Rice Lake and Bridal Lake — were identified repeatedly in public testimony as the core matters that motivated both support and criticism of the current board.