Level Two WIT Training

Note: This website has been moved. The new PSMFC AIS website can be found @ http://www.westernais.org/

This two-day, intensive, Level Two hands-on training is provided free of charge on a first-come first-served basis. Attendees will be responsible for their own travel expenses.

The course is designed for those individuals who are currently or will soon become active in setting-up or implementing watercraft inspection and decontamination programs for their respective agencies, organizations or businesses. The class size is restricted to 10-12 people and the focus is on actual inspections of various types of watercraft and the use of several decontamination systems. It is certified by 100th Meridian member agencies and successful graduates will be qualified as incident responders and Level One Trainers.

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Level two training are delivered over two days (12-14 hours) at Lake Mead located on the Nevada/Arizona Border near Las Vegas. It will focus on actual field inspections of various types of watercrafts which may or may not be contaminated with Quagga mussels and then day two will entail decontamination procedures according to the Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards for Watercraft Interception Programs for Dreissenid Mussels in the Western United States (UMPS II)

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The primary Trainer for Level Two over the last several years has been Wen Baldwin.

Wen Baldwin:

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Wen was the long-time President of the Lake Mead Boat Owners Association and ANS Technical Representative for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and consultant for natural resource agencies throughout the west. He is generally considered to be the leading expert on the inspection and decontamination of trailered watercraft in the western US. He has inspected hundreds and decontaminated dozens of Quagga mussel infested watercrafts in the Colorado Basin and conducted more than 30 Level Two trainings on this topic all over the west. He and his wife moved to Greeley Colorado last fall. Wen continues to consult on WIT II trainings. wenbald@earthlink.net

“Quagga D” Davis:

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D has been on contract as an assistant instructor for Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission doing inspection & decontamination training (WIT level II) classes with Wen Baldwin since 2009. She has been an instructor with USCGA for 13 years teaching Boating & Water Safety to over 60,000 elementary children in Clark County. Her and her husband Michael have been boaters on Lake Mead for over 25 years and have firsthand knowledge of how the Quagga infestation has impacted the community. Last year she initiated the social media venue. Follow her on www.Twitter@lakemeadquagga & like her posts on www.facebook.com/lakemeadquaggaupdates

How to sign-up for a Level Two Training:

Level Two trainings are held at Lake Mead because of the opportunity afforded by year-round boating activity, infested watercrafts and the availability of equipment and facilities. The training is offered at no charge, but each attendee is responsible for their own travel and per diem. Travel to and from the recommended hotel and training sites will be provided.

The next scheduled Level Two Trainings are as follows:

  • September 30 – October 1, 2014 – Lake Pleasant (FULL)
  • October 14 – 15, 2014 – Lake Mead (FULL)
  • November 18 – 19 – Lake Mead (OPEN)

To register for Level Two training, please contact:

“Quagga D” Davis
Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission (Contractor)
quaggadee@cox.net or (702) 236-3814

Or

Stephen Phillips
Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission
503-595-3100
sphillips@psmfc.org

General Information and Schedule for Level Two Training:

To all Attending the WIT Level II Training

Thank you for your interest in protecting your waters from a nasty invader.

A few notes about the training.

You will need to book your own rooms and flights.

Recommended Lodging For Lake Mead Training:

Sunset Station Hotel & Casino
1301 West Sunset Rd
Henderson, NV 89014
www.sunsetstation.com
888-786-7389

When making your Hotel reservation for Lake Mead training (October 14-15), please be sure to use   the  code: “ WIT Level” in order to get the special rate. To assure getting the group rate at  Sunset Station  reservations must be made ASAP by calling 888-786-7389

If you have problems with your reservation, please call Mandy Morgan between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM PT or emailing her anytime. She will make your reservations and take good care of you.

Mandy Morgan
Phone: (702) 547-7739
Ramanda.morgan@stationcasinos.com

You can also reach her by calling the toll free number, 888-786-7389, and asking for Mandy in Sales.

Recommended Lodging For September 30 – October 1, 2014 – Lake Pleasant Training

Hampton Inn, Phoenix, Arizona, To to: http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/arizona/hampton-inn-and-suites-phoenix-north-happy-valley-PHXHPHX/index.html

Please be sure to pick up your information packet when you get to the hotel registration desk.

There is NO Airport shuttle available. Cab fare runs around $30.

Transportation to and from The Sunset Station Hotel and the Lake Mead training locations will be provided. The van will pick you up at the Sunset Station Hotel at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning and 8:00 AM Wednesday day morning. It will return to the hotel after the day’s session is over. A map of the pick-up point will be in your package at registration. For those needing to go right to the airport after Wednesday’s session, you will be dropped off there instead of the hotel.

The only supplied transportation to and from the training sites will be from Sunset Station.

Clothing
Dress for the training should be work clothes. There will be some crawling under boats on both dirt and pavement. You will also be operating boat washing equipment on Wednesday that will be using hot (>160° F) and could (surely will) get some splash. A pair of disposable/reusable coveralls will be provided upon request. Footwear should have non-marking outsoles (so you don’t leave marks on the boats while inspecting and decontaminating them) and be able to get wet without being damaged. Flip flops or any open footwear is not advised for Wednesday since there most likely will be very hot water splashing during the decon process.

Remember your cameras and sunscreen.

Lunch on Tuesday will be from a menu at Las Vegas Boat Harbor. It will be Dutch.

Lunch on Wednesday will be from a menu at Callville Bay Marina. Again Dutch.

Bottled water will be supplied each day.

I am looking forward to seeing you all. Have a good trip in.

If you have any questions, please contact me, “QuaggaD” Davis
at: quaggadee@cox.net or (702) 236-3814

.SCHEDULE
(Subject to change)
Lake Mead Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training
Level II
Responder and Trainer Training

Tuesday:
8:00 AM Shuttle from Sunset Station Hotel to Lake Mead
National Recreation
8:30 AM Sign-in & Coffee and doughnuts
9:00 AM Introduction and briefing
9:15 AM Basic inspection procedures and Q&A period – PP
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM More basic inspection procedures and Q&A period – PP
11:00 AM Boat inspection test
12:00 Noon Lunch at Las Vegas Boat Harbor (Dutch)
1:00 PM Tour docks – visit Wen’s Quagga Farm
1:45 PM Hands on boat inspections (if boats are available)
3:30 PM Days recap and outline for tomorrow
3:45 PM Shuttle back to hotel – Have a good evening
Wednesday:
8:00 AM Shuttle from Sunset Station Hotel to Callville Bay Marina
8:45 AM Coffee and Donuts
9:00 AM Decontamination PP in Lounge
10:00 AM Hands on boat decontaminations
12:00 Noon Lunch at Callville Bay (Dutch)
1:00 PM More decontamination and inspection of boats in parking
lot at Callville Bay
3:00 PM Test, evaluations and Certificate hand out
3:45 PM Shuttle back to hotel and/or airport

ANS Examples

New Zealand Mudsnail

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(Potamopyrgus antipodarum)