Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination
For quagga/zebra mussels
Level One
Bill Zook
Pacific State Marine Fisheries Commission
Funding Provided by:
Today's Drill (about 5 Hours)
 Zebra/Quagga Mussel Educational Video (30 Minutes)
 “The Big Picture”
 Q and A - Biology, Distribution, Impacts and Transport Vectors, etc.
 Break
 Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Video (20 Minutes)
 Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards (UMPS) for Watercraft
Interception Programs in the Western US
 Q and A – Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination
 Lunch Break
Schedule Continued
 The Local Perspective
Insert name and affiliation of person making presentation here
 “Hands-on” Watercraft Inspection Exercise (30 Minutes)
 Review List, Written Exam, Course Evaluation and Certification
Now ....
Zebra/Quagga Mussel Educational Video
(Copies available)
Two Distinct Parts
 Part 1 – General Information
 Background (Biology, origins, distribution, vectors)
 Impacts (Through the eyes of those affected)
 Call to action (What you can and should do to prevent their spread)
Later ….
 Part 2 – Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training
Show Part 1 of Don’t Move a Mussel Video here
Summary of Key Points Made in Video ....
 The stakes are extremely high – in the 100’s of Millions of dollars to your
state and local economy - and even more in unquantifiable impacts to
natural resources and life style
 Damages last forever … agriculture, water supply, recreation, power
production, ecology, etc.
 Everyone stands to lose – traditional competitors for limited water resources
are on the same team this time – more opportunity for cooperation and
political action
 Prevention is the best hope – eradication is not a practical option and
mitigation is extremely expensive
 Prevention/containment are possible!!! - Minnesota example
 Education and outreach, watercraft intervention, detection monitoring and
contingency planning are key weapons to preventing dreissenid mussel
expansion
Questions on the video or anything covered so far?
The Bigger Picture!
Watercraft interception is not the only game in town, other measures, particularly
public outreach and education, are critical to successful
prevention/containment program.
Zebra/Quagga Mussel Prevention Can’t be Done in Isolation
But, you’re not alone in this effort !!!!!!

National
Public Education and Outreach Nationwide benefit us all
Federal Legislation, Funding, Programs and Organization

Regional
Basin-wide Coordination and Communication Protects Neighbors
Common Databases, Protocols, Monitoring, Response Planning

Local
Strong State Legislation, Funding, Education/Outreach and Early Detection Monitoring
Local Government and User Group Involvement
ANS Prevention in the US
(Organizational Framework)
 National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (NISA) – National Program for ANS
Prevention, Monitoring and Research – Zebra Mussel Inspired
 ANS Task Force – Intergovernmental Organization co-chaired by USFWS
and NOAA to implement NISA
Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan
 Western Regional Panel (1 of 6) – Established by the ANS Task Force to
coordinate NISA activities in the western U. S. including those
identified in the 100th Meridian Initiative (a section of NISA)
o 100th Meridian Initiative – 19Western States – 6 Basin Teams
(Colorado, Columbia, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas and Tahoe Basin
Teams)
• Individual State ANS Organization and Plans
Your state is an active participant at every level
Some Examples of Programs Already Working for You

National Awareness Campaign
- Internet, Visitor Information Centers,
News Media, User Group Publications,
Outdoor Shows, PSA’s, SAH.

Traveler Information Radio Systems (TIS) and Billboards

Outreach Partnerships with
Water-Dependant Businesses –
Marinas, Marine Supply and Repair,
Tackle Shops, Etc.
Missouri, Columbia and Colorado Basins
More Programs Without Borders ....
 Access Area Signage
•
•
•
New Uniform ANS Ramp Sign Available
Brand recognition demonstrates cooperation and coordination
Doubled # of Access Areas Signed in the Western US Since 04
 Training
-
Boating Law Enforcement Personnel
-
Commercial Boat Haulers
Incident Responders
Water Users
Marina Operators
More Programs Without Borders ....
 Boater Survey Program
•
•
•
Standard Survey of Boaters - Throughout the West
Common Database Maintained by USFWS
Over 30,000 Records from 28 States
 Veliger/Substrate Monitoring Program
•
•
Program, Processing and Database Maintained at PSU
Serves all Western US States
 Rapid Response/Containment Planning
•
•
•
Lower Colorado Basin Plan (Regional)
Columbia Basin Plan (Regional)
Individual State Plans
Lake Mead Boater Survey Data
100th Meridian Website
(100th Meridian.org)
Enforcement Authority Summary
A Couple More Things....
 Subscribe to the National News Website List serve for the latest news
and information about what’s going on the Lower Colorado, California
and the rest of North America and the world with quagga/zebra
mussels and other ANS
protectyourwaters.net
 New WIT Website available January 1, 2010 –Training resources,
updates, pictures, forms, supplies, equipment, etc
aquaticnuisance.org
 Level Two (Train the Trainer) training offered periodically at Lake Mead
– two-day intensive, hands-on inspecting and decontaminating
watercraft – NO COST (except travel)
Next Level Two’s – Check WIT website and add here
Any Questions on anything we’ve covered so
far???
10 minute Break
And Then….
Part Two – Inspection and
Decontamination Video
Show Part 2 of Don’t Move a Mussel video here
Key points about inspection and decontamination ....
From Part 2 of video
 Large slipped watercraft/equipment most likely to have settled adult or
juvenile mussels attached
 Day-use boats more likely to have veligers in standing water, cooling system,
equipment, etc.
 Under the right conditions, it is possible for day-use watercraft to have tiny
attached mussels - w/i hours
 Trailers are most likely to have loose mussels that have been scrapped-off the
watercraft/equipment upon loading or veligers in water pockets – light
brackets, hollow frame members, etc.
 Yes, 104 degree water will kill veligers, but adult mussels require 140+ degree
water or prolonged exposure
Questions?
Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards for
Watercraft Interception Programs for Dreissenid
Mussels in the Western United States
“UMPS”
Adopted in September 2009 by the:
Western Regional Panel
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and it’s
Member Agencies
Bill Zook and Stephen Phillips
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Hundreds of contributors from over 70 western
agencies/organizations
Why uniform protocols and standards?
 Neither mussels nor boaters recognize jurisdictional boundaries
 Need to encourage and support the implementation of the most
effective region-wide interception strategies - Your program is only
as good as your neighbors
 Increase effectiveness by ensuring everyone uses the best available
science and technology
 Maximize efficiency and use of limited resources by building trust
in and between programs
 Make programs more consistent to reinforce the prevention
message with boaters, the public , law makers and policy makers
 Make it easier for the boating public to understand, anticipate and
comply with “clean boating” principles
 Q-ZAP recognizes as one of it’s highest priority action items “the
development of consistent inspection and decontamination
protocols”
Watercraft Interception Programs in the West
UMPS began with:
An On-line Survey of WIP Programs in 20 Western States
(Jan-Feb, 2009)








Identified 72 programs in 20 western states (28 CA)
300+ waters
At least one (sometimes minimal) program in each state
On-line survey sent to all - 46 questions to define program
parameters and gauge support for UMPS
96% return rate
Programs range from spot-checks to full-meal deal
Report now available
Raw survey results also available (see me for link)
Some Interesting Survey Findings …
 Total of 138 full-time, 110 part-time and 0ver 300 seasonal FTE’s
 72% of programs received their training directly from WIT L1 or L2 Course
 58% exclude all watercraft that are not clean, drained and dry
 52% offer decontamination services, of those
 54% also require a “drying” period following decontamination
 52% certify watercraft, of those
 54% use “banding” method of certification, many with paper receipt
 60% do not accept another agency/organization certification (only 3% unconditionally)
 90% recognized the benefit of having Uniform Minimum Protocols Standards
UMPS Report
Recommendations for:
 Program levels – Recognizes vast differences in individual
agency/organization “capacity” e.g. authority, resources, political
and public support, etc.
 Protocols and Standards for:
 Screening interviews – Standardize questions
 Inspection – When, where and “how to“ for various
watercraft/equipment types and conditions
 Decontamination – Equipment, protocols and standards
 Quarantine – Calculations, options and qualifiers (ballast)
 Exclusion – Last resort option where other, more userfriendly options, aren’t available
 Certification - When, where, how and cross-jurisdictional
coordination
Program Levels
Level 1 – Self Inspection Programs (mandatory/voluntary)
Low risk waters where implementation "capacity” is limited
(Capacity = funding, authority, access control, political will)
Pro’s
• Low cost
• Excellent public education tool
• Better than nothing – good starting point
Con’s
• Minimal protection – compliance not guaranteed
Currently implemented on 100+ secondary risk waters in Utah
(mandatory) and under consideration in Missouri and South Dakota
Level 2 – Screening out high risk watercraft
Screening interview and limited inspection but no comprehensive inspection
or decontamination services provided
Pro’s
• Prevents the launch of any watercraft/equipment that are not clean,
drained, dry or have been used in any mussel positive state/area (High
Risk)
• Relatively inexpensive to implement
Con’s
• Not boater/recreation friendly
• Can result in local economic hardship
Many of the water districts in California, selected waters in Kansas,
North Dakota
Level 3 – Comprehensive interception program
High risk waters and wherever possible; includes screening, inspection,
decontamination, quarantine and possible certification
Pro’s
• Offers high level of protection limited only by effectiveness of
decontamination/quarantine protocols and standards used
• Preserves recreational and economic values
• Offers best opportunity for cross-jurisdictional cooperation
Con’s
• Expensive, labor intensive and requires strong political commitment
Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Tahoe, Major waters in the states of California,
Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Utah
Screening Interviews – Step 1
Prior to launch at point of entry/access –To assess the level of risk
(in order to concentrate efforts on high risk watercraft)
• Determine the recent use history – Use standard form




Home location of owner/operator
Specific location (waterbody) of last use
The date of last use
How the watercraft has been maintained since
(Clean, drained & dry? Decontaminated who/when? )
 Verify responses with visual keys (license plate, condition)
• Watercraft/equipment that are not clean, drained, dried or with
ballast tanks should be subjected to comprehensive inspection or
excluded
• Watercraft/equipment coming directly from mussel positive waters
within last 30 days should be subjected to comprehensive
inspection or excluded
Watercraft/Equipment Inspection
• If you don’t have specific authority, get owner/operators permission first
 Adopt and use a checklist of watercraft parts/areas to guide
inspection
 Include trailer, propulsion system and accessories
 Be systematic; starting at point “A” and ending at point “B” to
assure complete coverage
 Use the inspection as an opportunity to educate the owner/operator
• If attached mussels (dead or alive) , standing/trapped water or attached
vegetation (including algae accumulation) are found, require
decontamination, quarantine (combination) or exclude
• Watercraft/equipment that have been successfully decontaminated or
quarantined (dried) for the required time or that are clean,
drained and dry and have not been launched in mussel positive
waters/areas in the past 30 days should be allowed to launch
(except w/ballast tanks or inaccessible raw water storage tanks)
Watercraft/Equipment Decontamination
• Get the permission of the watercraft owner before doing decontamination
• Away from the water where water and solids can be contained
• Strongly consider total containment/ treatment option – low cost systems
available
• Be systematic and thorough including all parts/areas and accessories
Standards:
 Hot water pressure washer set to achieve 140 F at point of contact
 Maintain contact for at least 10 sec. (leading to trailing edge) on all
exposed surfaces
 Pressure washer capable of min. 4 gpm at 3,000 psi
 Use Pressure washer attachments for flushing sensitive areas and cooling
system, live/bait wells, storage compartments, accessories, etc.
 Drain then treat (hot water) all areas of standing, trapped, stored water
(Ballast Tanks require special attention)
 Maintain 60 sec. contact time for hard to access areas
 Monitor temperatures carefully and often
 Consider adding period of quarantine/drying following decon – insurance
policy
Quarantine/Drying
• Time out of the water exposed to air temps leads to mussel desiccation
 Varies depending on temperature and humidity - from 1-30 days
 Higher the temps and lower the humidity = shorter the drying time
and visa versa
 Use 100th Meridian calculator or UMPS guideline or the alternative
below
Maximum daily temperature
Degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum days out of water
< 30
30- 40
40-60
60-80
80-100
>100
3
28
21
14
7
3
• Mussel removal still required after drying!
• Quarantine/drying standards do not apply to watercraft with ballast
tanks!
Watercraft/Equipment Exclusion
• Exclusion is the only remaining option under some conditions
 When decontamination/quarantine facilities are not available
 When the owner/operator declines other measures
Standards:
Watercraft or equipment that are coming from known zebra/quagga mussel
areas in the last 30 days that have not been decontaminated and/or been out
of the water for the required time should be decontaminated if approved
facilities are available; placed in self or on-site quarantine for the required
time frame; or excluded.
Watercraft or equipment that are not clean (having attached vegetation,
debris or surface deposits that can mask the presence of small mussels),
drained (no visible water in any live well, bait well, bilge area, engine
compartment, floor or cooler) and dry (no standing water in boat, equipment,
trailer, engine) should be decontaminated and/or quarantined or excluded.
Watercraft Certification/Banding
• About half of 70 agencies/organizations in the west now offer some form of
certification following inspection, decontamination or quarantine




Streamlines the process for repeat users and for overworked staff
Banding is the preferred and recommended method of certification
Mostly used on local basis only; goal is to use across jurisdictions
Certification signifies that “best practices” (UMPS) have been applied to
inspect, quarantine and decontaminate, not that it’s “mussel free”
Banding
 Variety of banding materials used - share common traits:
 Connects the watercraft/equipment to the transport vehicle (trailer)
 Tamper resistant material (wire, Kevlar, Mylar, plastic strapping, etc.)
 Certification is considered “invalid” if the band has been severed or
tampered-with
 Contains the name of agency/organization, contact information for
verification and date and time of application (paper receipt)
 Can only be applied by trained personnel
And finally ……
These Considerations:
 Living document subject to periodic and systematic updating
 “Minimum” protocols and standards, more restrictive options discretionary
 Recognizes the need for additional peer reviewed research on the
effectiveness of currently recommended protocols and standards for
watercraft decontamination – In the works (UNLV)
 Addresses the wide range of “capacity” currently available to the many
different implementing agencies/organizations
 Includes the contributions, comments and edits of more than 100 “experts”
 Both the Watercraft Survey and Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards
reports available at :
http://www.aquaticnuisance.org/wit
Questions?
Lunch Break!
The Local Perspective
What does all this mean for me and how do I apply what I’ve learned
today on my water(s) here in State, Region or Agency/Organization?
Name and affiliation of person presenting Local Perspective
Local perspective presentation here
Your turn ....
 Inspection Exercise – 40% of grade
 Unfortunately, no decontamination exercise at Level One
 Group of 10-12 assigned to a specific watercraft – stick to that
watercraft, circle that number and print your name on the form
 Have a plan!
 Watercraft , trailer, equipment have been “seeded” with between
20-40 “fake“ mussels for you to find
 Please work independently – 25 minutes to complete the exercise
 We’ll be out there to answer questions – refer to the back of the
form for boat parts
 We’ll go over the results after the exercise
Questions?
Boat
Parts
Decontaminating Process
Boat components
Bow/
Front
Hull
Lower Unit
Trailer
Stern/Back
Transom
Trough Hull fitting
Boat
Parts
Decontaminating Process
Boat components
Trim Tab
Lower Unit
Drain Plug
Boat
Parts
Decontaminating Process
Boat components
Gimbal Area
Pitot Tube
Boat
Parts
Decontaminating Process
Boat components
Speed wheel
Transducer
Pitot tube
Testing, Evaluation and Certification
Reminders
1.
Complete the course evaluation and turn it in upside down
2.
Pick-up a copy of your written exam
3.
Return your written exam and pick-up your certificate
Thank You!!!!!