New Clear Lake Watershed Coordinator selected

James Sholly, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, has been selected to be the new Clear Lake Watershed Coordinator.

Sholly is the current “Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Project Coordinator,” working for Dickinson County Soil & Water Conservation District since 2014.  He earned a Master of Science degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aquatic Biology from Bemidji State University.

Sholly will be employed by the City of Clear Lake, with his position receiving funding support from Cerro Gordo County, the City of Ventura, the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake, as well as an EPA 319 grant.  Both Hancock and Cerro Gordo County Soil & Water Conservation Districts will also remain active with Lake Improvement projects and initiatives in the watershed.

Sholly will be based out of the Clear Lake Parks & Recreation Office.

“The selection process was especially difficult.  There were several strong candidates who sought the position,” stated Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb.

“We are thrilled to have Jim coming on board in this important capacity.  He possesses the necessary skills and abilities to move this “multi-jurisdictional” water quality initiative in the right direction,” said City Administrator Scott Flory.

Search committee representative Terry Unsworth indicated that Sholly’s background with Clear Lake’s dredging project and his familiarity with the local fisheries department and staff, including Iowa DNR officials, was a strong advantage in his favor.

Sholly’s annual salary will be set at $50,000 and he is slated to begin work on April 25.

He and his spouse, Bri, intend to relocate to Clear Lake in the very near future.