Lake Host Program Local Coordinator Training Manual
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2021 Lake Host Program Local Coordinator Training Manual Brought to New Hampshire lakes and ponds by local groups and: NH LAKES 17 Chenell Drive, Suite One Concord, NH 03301 603.226.0299 [email protected] nhlakes.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the NH LAKES Coordinator Page 1 COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Page 2 COVID-19 Prevention Measure Flyer Page 4 Local Program Coordinator Position Description Page 5 Program Assistant Position Description Page 7 Lake Host Program Terms of Participation Page 8 Local Operations Page 13 Local Coordinator Agreement Page 14 Lake Host Program Infographic Page 16 Lake Host Program Summary Page 17 “Saves” by Waterbody Page 19 Infestation Distribution Map Page 21 Infestation Map Key Page 22 New Hampshire Aquatic Invasive Species Law Page 25 “Clean, Drain, & Dry” Procedure Page 27 10 Steps to Success and FAQ Page 28 Payroll Updates Page 40 Local Funding & Lake Host Charitable Giving Page 41 Excerpts from the 2021 Inspector Manual Inspector Position Description Page 44 Inspector Behavior Expectations Page 46 Inspector Safety Precautions Page 45 Conducting Boat Inspections Page 48 Boater Survey Instructions Page 53 Boater Survey Field App Page 54 Boater Survey Paper Form Page 55 Specimen Photo Submission Form Page 56 Lake Host Employee Timesheet Page 57 Required forms for Lake Host Program Volunteers Volunteer Information Form Page 58 Youth Parental Permission Form Page 59 Volunteer Time/Match Sheet Page 60 April 1, 2021 Hi Lake Host Team, Last year was a new and stressful experience for everyone. I admire how calm and collected you all — remained last season despite the challenges you rolled with the punches and made sure your lake was protected from invasive species! If you are a new coordinator this season, you likely still noticed that our lakes were not spared from the way the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the world worked. People striving to social distance, stay safe, and stay sane, sought respite in the fresh air and the clean water of New Hampshire’s 1,000 lakes. Lake Hosts all across the state, at lakes both big and small, were busier than ever last summer balancing the task of protecting the lakes from aquatic invasive species while keeping themselves and the public safe. Courtesy boat inspections increased by 30% and some lakes doubled their inspections from previous seasons. It only takes one boat that hasn’t been properly clean, drained, or dried to introduce an invasive species and cause big ecological and economic problems for a lake. Last summer, Lake Hosts removed one hundred and seventeen suspicious plants and animals from boats, trailers, and recreational gear. Twenty-three of these were verified “saves” of invasive species that had just hitchhiked out of a lake or were about to be launched into a lake! This summer, as the Lake Host Program celebrates its 20th year of preventing the spread, we suspect that it will be another busy summer out on the lake. We know that you and your team will be working hard. While we would love to celebrate and we are planning something special to honor all — of you stay tuned! The staff at NH LAKES will do all that they can to make coordinating your Local Lake Host Program this summer successful. If you ever have any questions or problems I can be reached at [email protected] and 603.226.0299. With sincere appreciation, Conservation Program Coordinator, NH LAKES 1 Lake Host Program COVID-19 Local Coordinator Safety Guidelines Updated: April 19, 2021 We greatly appreciate the hard work you undertake to coordinate the Lake Host Program in your community. It is important to keep you and the rest of our Lake Host team safe throughout the Lake Host season. Please take a minute to read through the following safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 and reach out to NH LAKES if you have any questions. Hiring, Materials, and Communication Considerations: ● Utilize over the phone or video conferencing software to communicate when physical distancing is not possible. NH LAKES has staff expertise and can assist you in the use of web-based communication programs. ● Keep a safe distance, a minimum of at least six feet, from Lake Hosts, boaters, and the general public, and avoid any in-person contact with Lake Hosts who are sick. Lake Hosts must not report to the ramp if they are sick. ● Lake Hosts will coordinate with NH LAKES directly to fill out hiring paperwork through a secure online digital portal. Lake Hosts who do not have access to a computer with reliable internet should contact NH LAKES directly to discuss alternative options. The Federal Form I-9 must be filled out in person this year and cannot be submitted through the employment portal. ● NH LAKES will provide a physical distancing-friendly self-service pickup station for Lake Host materials. These materials include shirts, hats, manuals, clipboards, pens, a small supply of cloth face masks and sanitizer for those in need, and an initial supply of boater surveys and timesheets. o Materials will be located in the foyer area of the NH LAKES office at 17 Chenell Drive, Suite One, in Concord. This pick-up area will be open Monday - Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please call the NH LAKES office at (603) 226-0299 ahead of planning your trip to confirm that office staff is in the building. o Material pick-up forms will be provided and the pickup person must indicate what materials were taken and for which lake group. ● Local Coordinators should provide a local self-service pickup station for Lake Host employees to pick up materials and turn in paperwork. Physical distancing must be maintained between 2 Lake Hosts and the Local Coordinator or Program Assistant when the host has to turn in timesheets, match sheets, specimens, etc. ● Local groups may choose to provide cloth masks and hand sanitizer for their team. Please report any purchases or time spent on this as volunteer match so we can count it towards your grant match! Considerations for Lake Hosts at the Ramp: ● Lake Hosts, even those who have been vaccinated should follow all CDC and state guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19. o Lake Hosts are required to have a face mask with them at all times and should wear it if maintaining 6 ft. physical distancing is not possible or as dictated by a local ordinance. ▪ At this time the CDC does not recommend using face shields or goggles as a substitute for masks. The CDC states that most people with underlying medical conditions can and should wear cloth masks. ● Lake Hosts are required to fill out the COVID-19 Self-Screening Form before reporting to the ramp until notified otherwise by NH LAKES. This form may be filled out online or submitted via a paper form and submitted to local coordinators. Lake Hosts who suspect they are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, must not report to the ramp. ● Lake Hosts must maintain a safe distance of at least six feet to other Lake Hosts, boaters, and the general public. In the event that a ramp becomes too busy to follow safe distance guidelines, Lake Hosts should distance themselves from the situation until the ramp is less congested. The one page COVID-19 Prevention Measures Flyer outlines safety guidelines for inspectors at the ramp. The health and safety of Lake Hosts and other program personnel take precedence over a courtesy boat inspection. ● Lake Hosts are encouraged to wash their hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol while working. Lake Hosts should wash their hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds when they get home at the end of their shift. 3 COVID-19 Basic Infection Prevention Measures Updated: April 19, 2021 COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Lake Hosts, even those who have been vaccinated, should follow all CDC and state guidelines. By taking the following infection prevention measures, Lake Hosts conducting courtesy boat inspections will help prevent the spread of the virus while helping boaters prevent the spread of invasive species. Submit the self-screening form for COVID-19 symptoms before each shift. Seek medical advice and do not work or volunteer at the boat ramp if you answer “yes” to any of the screening questions. Practice physical distancing — maintain at least 6 feet between other Lake Hosts, boaters, and the public at all times. Do not pass out any materials (brochures or decals) to boaters or the public as this violates physical distancing measures. Avoid congested situations that may make keeping at least 6 feet physical distancing difficult. Sit in your vehicle, or temporarily leave the launch, if it becomes too crowded or if you notice someone who could be sick. Before sharing clipboards, pens, or other tools with other Lake Hosts, disinfect them first. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Clean and disinfect frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces (cell phones, tablets, pens, etc.) on a regular basis. Keep a mask with you at all times. Follow all CDC, state, and local guidelines. Wear a mask when physical distancing isn't possible or as dictated by a local ordinance. 4 2021 Lake Host Program Position Description Local Program Coordinator Updated: February 9, 2021 Position Summary: A well-functioning, professional, and effective Lake Host team requires a hardworking management team. Each organization accepted to participate in the Lake Host Program must provide one or two Local Program Coordinator(s) to supervise the group’s employees and volunteers and ensure that the group satisfactorily fulfills all program requirements.