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.

Level two training is 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 inspection of various types of watercraft leaving the lake which may or may not be contaminated with quagga mussels and the decontamination of those watercraft requiring it. The instruction will include the use of portable (low-cost) temperature controlled power wash units and a large semi-permanent self-contained power washer operated by Callville Marina for the National Park Service.

The primary Trainer for Level Two is Wen Baldwin (See below).

Wen Baldwin:

Wen is 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 watercraft in the Colorado Basin and conducted more than 30 Level One and Level Two trainings on this topic all over the west. He lives and works in Henderson Nevada.

How to sign-up for a Level Two Training:

All Level Two trainings are held at Lake Mead because of the opportunity afforded by year-round boating activity, infested watercraft 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 Training:

October 12-13,2011
November 1-2, 2011
February 7-8, 2012
February 28-29, 2012
April 3-4, 2012

These trainings are scheduled on an as-needed basis, so please contact Bill Zook for information on future Level Two Training.

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:

Rooms are available for $39.99 plus $11.99 Hotel Service Fee ($51.98 plus 13% occupancy tax) per night. When making your reservation, please be sure to say that you are part of the “WIT Level II Training” group in order to get the special rate. To assure getting the group rate, reservations must be made ASAP. Please make your reservations as soon as possible by calling Sunset Station. If you have problems with your reservation, please call Alicia Holmes between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM PT or emailing her anytime. She will make your reservations and take good care of you.

Alicia Holmes | Sales Coordinator
Tel 702.547.7717      Direct 702.547.7704      Fax 702.547.7879

Alicia.Holmes@StationCasinos.com

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

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. I will supply everyone with a pair of disposable/reusable coveralls that you can wear if you so desire. 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 on your feet during the decon process.

Don’t forget 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.

Morning coffee & doughnuts and 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, Wen Baldwin at: wenbald@earthlink.net or 702-373-4406 anytime.

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

To register for Level Two training, please contact:

Bill Zook, Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission
(360) 427-7676
Bjzook2@msn.com