James Wisker Email & Phone Number

United States

Directed the strategic planning, budgeting and implementation of the District's Planning, Project, Operation & Maintenance, Land Conservation and Permitting programs.Led a priority initiative to restore Minnehaha Creek as a regional resource and economic catalyst, reintegrating the Creek as a placemaking asset into the urban fabric of St. Louis Park and Hopkins.Developed multi-jurisdictional public-private partnerships that integrate investments, facilitating the implementation of strategic objectives. Led and managed multidisciplinary teams in the creation and implementation of vision policy and strategic plans to align the organization.

Coordinated the implementation of the District's 10 year Comprehensive Plan, directly managed the budgeting and implementation of the 10 year Capital Improvement Program, and developed innovative and strategic solutions to emerging issues within the District.Assembled and managed teams to perform complex project feasibility and design work in coordination with diverse groups of stakeholders. Managed the feasibility and design of large scale wetland restoration, stormwater management, prairie restoration and stream restoration projects; including a 4,000 foot remeander of Minnehaha Creek.Integrated an understanding of general planning principles, engineering, water governance and related issues affecting local government and businesses to establish multiple effective working relationships and partnerships in both the public and private sector to accomplish the District's water resource project goals.Oversaw the development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies in coordination with the MPCA and LGUs. Worked in collaboration with local government to review Local Water Management Plans for consistency with state and District requirements.

Managed a dynamic team of six to implement water resource regulations, write new regulations, and develop public-private partnerships with the development community to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes that exceeded regulatory requirements. Responsible for overseeing the coordination and implementation of federal, state and local regulations, including Floodplain Alteration, Wetland Protection, Dredging, Shoreline Stabilization, Waterbody Crossings, Stormwater Management, and the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). Established a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency delegating state authority to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, providing more comprehensive and efficient regulatory administration, improving resource protection and customer service for the development community. Developed and implemented the District's first grant program to stimulate public-private partnerships to achieve greater degrees of resource protection than through regulation alone.Cultivated a public-private partnership with Duke Realty on the $300 million West End Development in St. Louis Park to integrate low impact development solutions, resulting in the first successful removal of an impaired water from the 303(d) list within the Minnehaha Creek watershed. Led the revision of all of the District's water resource regulations in coordination with a large and diverse group of stakeholders, including 29 communities, federal and state agencies, special interest groups and the general public.

Master'S Degree, Water Resource Science

Bachelor'S Degree, Ecology