Sholly resigns as CLEAR coordinator

(Above) Education has been at the heart of Jim Sholly’s work as CLEAR Project coordinator.-Reporter file photo. 

by Marianne Gasaway

Jim Sholly is ready to transition to a new role within the CLEAR Project— volunteer.

After six years at the helm, Sholly has resigned the position of CLEAR Project coordinator to become the new GIS coordinator for Cerro Gordo County.  He will begin the new position in June, using many of the same technical skills he has employed to monitor Clear Lake’s water quality, to supply data to various county departments.

“This is a career opportunity that allows me some new growth and the ability to be home and take care of my family,” said Sholly.  “We will continue to live in Ventura and I hopefully can still be a technical resource for the CLEAR Project.”

There is no doubt Sholly has a wealth of information and experience which has added significantly to the CLEAR Project’s 20-plus year history.  During his tenure, shoreline stabilization projects across private and public landscapes have protected more than 1,500 feet of 

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shoreline.  More than 100 acres of wetland/prairie restoration and habitat improvement have taken place. And public education about ways to improve water quality in Clear Lake through the reduction of nutrient runoff into the lake has never been more accessible.

“I would say the work on parking lots at City Hall and downtown are something I am proud of because they are such visible improvements and seemed to register with the public,” said Sholly, referring to the permeable pavers used to resurface lots.  In addition, rain gardens and bio-retention cells have become standard features throughout the town.

Sholly said he is also proud to have helped to initiate land acquisition on the west side of the lake which he calls instrumental in expanding the protections around Ventura Marsh.

Three boat cleaning stations placed around the lake in recent years are also “a pretty big deal” and are proving to be a tremendous benefit to the public and lake.  However, growing the support of local and county government and working with leaders to enact protection measures for longterm lake health gives Sholly a rewarding feeling as he steps down from CLEAR.

“I think in terms of lasting impact, new zoning ordinances being put in place in the county regarding shoreline landscaping and the construction permitting process are what I am most proud of.  Educating people about their options to stabilize shorelines and putting safeguards in place to help the lake, not hurt it, are critical,” he said.  “These measures have been two years in the making— starting in the county, and Clear Lake and Ventura have pledged to follow suit.  They will have a long lasting quality impact on the lake.”

Clear Lake City Administrator Scott Flory said the City remains committed to ongoing efforts to improve Clear Lake.

“Conversations with the other funding partners have not yet taken place regarding filling the Watershed Coordinator position,” said Flory, noting the position is currently a City of Clear Lake position.  “So, we need to evaluate whether that should continue under that model or if a different model is more appropriate at this time.”

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