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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering a Water Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Training on March 25-26, 2026, to help prevent the invasion of Golden Mussels in local waterways. This training will be conducted at 240 W. South St., Bishop. Completing the course will provide either a Level I or Level II certification for WID.

The WID training program is intended for federal, Tribal, state/province, and local agency employees, water managers, decision-makers, border/lake personnel, marina operators, concessioners, commercial boat transport operators, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. The class includes content on education and outreach, invasive aquatic species biology and impacts, watercraft anatomy and function, inspection procedures, decontamination standards, and strategies for implementation. Inyo County encourages anyone interested in boating and/or potential commercial inspection and decontamination opportunities to attend this training.

The training comes on the heels of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors approving an ordinance on March 3 establishing a mandatory water vessel inspection and decontamination program aimed at preventing infestation of the Golden Mussel in local water ways and surface water infrastructure. The ordinance was developed in close collaboration with Mono County and included the participation of the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Both neighboring agencies are expected to adopt reciprocal ordinances in the near future so that regulations are consistent across the region.

An incredibly fast-spreading invasive species, the Golden Mussel has overtaken nearly the length of California in less than a year, posing a severe threat to fisheries and water infrastructure. Although other invasive mussel species already threaten local waterways, the Golden Mussel is considered a greater threat due to its ability to survive in the more extreme environments in Eastern Sierra alpine lakes that typically don't provide habitat for other invasive species.

To register for the WID training, contact [email protected].

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