As a requirement of the 2017 World Finals permit, IJSBA is required to have a mitigation plan in place to prevent any competitors from encountering a water fowl or other birds that might come into the competition area. All riders are required to review the following information:
Water Fowl and Other Migratory Birds Mitigation and Prevention Plan for 2017 IJSBA World Finals Lake Havasu City
The United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard), working in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has requested that all participant and officials involved in the 2017 IJSBA World Finals implement the following measures in order to avoid impacts on water fowl and other bird species that may be present in the proposed event areas. These instructions will be given to all event participants and announced at all riders’ briefings.
Participants
Participants will have the obligation to visually scan the perimeter of the race course prior to the start of the race. If any participant should spot any water fowl or other bird species then that participant shall alert the event leader or race starter of the presence of the birds. The event leader or race starter will instruct the course marshals to evacuate the water fowl prior to the start of the event. During the event, if a participant spots any water fowl or other bird species in the event area or race course then that participant shall attempt to point at it when passing the nearest course marshal. The course marshal shall take steps to evacuate the water fowl from the event area or race course.
Perimeter Patrol
The perimeter patrol boats will regularly scan the outside edge of the race course to ensure that water fowl have not entered or are about to enter the event area or race course. Perimeter patrol will move towards water fowl at a slow speed to encourage the water fowl to leave the race course. Perimeter patrol will carry air horns to use sound methods to encourage the water fowl to leave the event area or race course. If water fowl is well within the race course, perimeter patrol will alert course marshals to remove water fowl from the race area. Perimeter patrol will alert the event leader or race starter not to begin the event until after the bird have left the event area.
Course Marshals
Course Marshals will regularly scan the entire event area of the race course to ensure that water fowl or other birds have not entered or are not anywhere in the event area. Course Marshals will move towards the birds at a slow speed to encourage the birds to leave the event area or race course. Course Marshals will carry air horns to use sound methods to encourage the birds to leave the race course. Course Marshals will alert the event leader or race starter not to begin a race until the area is clear of the birds. A course marshal may divert traffic to avoid water fowl.
Event Leader/Race Starter
The Race Director will not start any race until the event leader or race starter has completed his own scan of the permitted area to ensure the event area is clear of birds. The even leader or race starter will have a pre-start period for perimeter patrol and course marshals to report the presence of any bird in order for the start to be delayed until the birds have been successfully evacuated.
