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 varios 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 theis 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 Trainings are:

February 2-3, 2010

March 23-24, 2010

May 4-5, 2010

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:

You will need to book your own rooms and flights.

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

Rooms are available for $40.00 plus tax per night for the above dates. When making a reservation, mention that you are part of the WIT Responder Training group to get the group rate. Further information and instructions will be provided once you are signed up for the class.

Unfortunately, there is NO airport shuttle available.

Cab fare runs around $30. If you have difficulty (cost or otherwise) obtaining suitable transportation to your hotel from the airport, contact your instructor and he may be able to coordinate shared cab fare with other trainees arriving around the same time or arrange a shuttle for you.

Transportation to and from the training site:

Transportation to and from The Sunset Station Hotel and the Lake Mead training location will be provided. The van will pick you up at the Sunset Station Hotel at 8:30 AM on day one and 8:00 AM on day two. It will return to the hotel after the day’s session is over. A map of the pick-up point and other information will be in your package at registration. For those needing to go right to the airport after Thursday’s session, you will be dropped off there instead of the hotel.

The only supplied transportation to and from the training site 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 hot boat washing equipment on day 2 and could (surely will) get some splash. The instructor 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 them) and be able to get wet without being damaged.

Schedule for Level Two Training: (Subject to change)

Lake Mead Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training
Responder and Trainer Training – Level Two

Day One:

8:30   AM    Shuttle from Sunset Station Hotel to Lake Mead WSC Water Safety Center –
             Lake Mead National Recreation Area
9:00   AM    Sign-in, coffee and doughnuts
9:10   AM    Introduction and briefing
9:15   AM    Basic inspection procedures and Q&A period – PP
10:30  AM    Break
10:45  AM    Boat inspection test
12:00  Noon  Lunch at Las Vegas Boat Harbor (Dutch)
1:00   PM    Tour docks to see impact of mussels
2:00   PM    Hands on boat inspections (depending on boat availability)
3:00   PM    Decontamination procedures (What it takes and how) and Q&A period – PP
4:00   PM    Days recap and outline for tomorrow
4:15   PM    Shuttle back to hotel – Have a good evening

Day Two:

8:00   AM    Shuttle from Sunset Station Hotel to Callville Bay Marina
8:45   AM    Briefing
9:00   AM    Hands on boat inspections and decontaminations
12:00  Noon  Lunch at Callville Bay (Dutch)
12:45  PM    More inspection and decontamination at Callville
3:00   PM    Test, Evaluations and Certification hand out
3:45   PM    Shuttle back to hotel and/or airport

To register for Level Two training, please contact:

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