Zebra and Quagga Mussel Mitigation

May 30-31, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0524-mussel-mitigation

“A top-notch presentation with lots of practical and useful advice for the novice and for the experienced person handling current and future zebra and quagga mussel issues!” Fishery Biologist, FERC

Proliferation of invasive zebra and quagga mussels pose a host of challenges such as damaging or clogging industrial infrastructure, adversely impacting native fish and mussel populations, decreasing property value, and discouraging recreation. Whether you are a utility or a park and recreation department, invasive mussels are an expensive nuisance when populations aren’t controlled.

The Zebra and Quagga Mussel Mitigation training course will educate participants on the following:

• biology of mussels
• distribution patterns
• early identification and prevention techniques
• adverse impacts of invasive mussel infestations
• control techniques
• public communication strategies

This course will walk you through the steps of zebra and quagga mussel mitigation from monitoring and planning through control techniques and implementation.

Learning Objectives

After attending the course, participants will successfully be able to:

• Describe zebra and quagga mussel biology including reproduction, population dynamics, growth patterns, and feeding
• Define distribution patterns including vectors for population expansion
• Recognize environmental changes due to mussel invasion
• Explain the adverse impacts that mussels will have on the environment, recreation, drinking water plants, reservoirs, pipelines, and power plants
• Identify general control strategies
• Construct a zebra mussel monitoring program beginning with detection upon first arrival
• Anticipate infestation challenges and identify a control method
• Review other biofouling challenges
• Apply public outreach and communication strategies

 

Thursday, May 30, 2024 : Central Time

Course Introductions and Objectives

Biology and Mussels Overview

• Reproduction
• Population Dynamics
• Growth Patterns
• Feeding

Environmental Requirements for Mussel Mitigation

• Environmental Limits
• Vectors of Population Expansion
• Impact of Public Outreach

Environmental Impacts of Zebra and Quagga Mussels

• Ecosystem Impacts

Impacts on Man-made Structures and Facilities

• Industrial Facilities
• Drinking Water Plants
• Water Conveyance Systems
• Power Plant

Vulnerability Assessments

• What Are They?
• How do You Conduct Them?
• What do They Offer?

Living with an Infestation

• Firsthand Account of Problems Encountered
• Year 1
• Year 4 and beyond

General Control Strategies for Mussel Mitigation

• Proactive vs. Reactive
• External Structures vs. Internal Piping
• Chemical – Non-oxidizing/oxidizing chemicals
• Eradication

Chemical Strategies – Focus on Chlorination

• Environmental Concerns
• Neutralization of Chemical Discharges

Physical Methods – Overview of Experience

• Strainers
• Filters
• UV Systems
• Other

 Other Potential Control Alternatives for Mussel Mitigation

• Electrical Current
• Ultrasound
• Carbon Dioxide
• Pulsed Pressure
• Turbulence
• Biological Control
• Others

Friday, May 31, 2024 : Central Time

Monitoring

• Monitoring for First Arrival
• Sugar Separation for Detection of Presence and Absence
• Monitoring for Population Growth
• Monitoring for Optimizing Control Strategy
• Monitoring for Success Control

Other Biofouling Issues

• Colonial Hydroids
• Bryozoa
• Algae
• Asian Clams
• Other

Wrap up: Questions, Comments, and Remarks

Renata Claudi, Environmental Scientist, RNT Consulting

Ms. Claudi is an environmental scientist with over 30 years of diverse business and technical experience. After more than 15 years in the electric power industry, where she established the mussel mitigation program for Ontario’s largest electricity utility, Ms. Claudi formed RNT Consulting Inc. to respond to the broader industry need for expert mussel support. As aquatic nuisance species became geographically more widespread, Ms. Claudi has provided mussel expertise internationally on the various aspects of alien species invasions, including their economic impact, protection of assets, selection of appropriate control options, and installation of these control options.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Zebra and Quagga Mussel Mitigation

May 30-31, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before April 26, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.0 CEUs for this event.

Instructional Methods

This program will use PowerPoint presentations and discussion

---

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 11.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

 

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for anyone who wishes to obtain a basic understanding of zebra and quagga mussel mitigation: 

• Invasive Species Specialists
• Aquatic Biologists
• Source Water Specialists
• Watershed Managers
• Hydroelectric dams
• Water utilities
• State agencies
• Parks departments
• Boating organizations
• Environmental groups
• Distribution System Operators, Maintenance
• General Managers, Directors, Project Managers
• Engineers
• Public Communications teams
• US Bureau of Reclamation
• US Fish & Wildlife
• US Army Corps of Engineers