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Dam commission member warns of safety gaps at new Sabatis dam and fishway
Summary
A dam commission member said the new dam has multiple gates and a fishway but lacks complete SOPs and appropriate harness attachment points for moving large baffles; she urged that mutual-aid fire and rescue partners review procedures to avoid injuries.
Pauline, a member of the dam commission, told the board that operations at the new Sabatis dam are still being learned and raised safety concerns about moving and installing large baffles in the fishway.
She described the baffles as large and heavy (reported roughly eight feet by two-to-three feet) and said carrying and placing them currently requires multiple people and ad hoc techniques. "They're supposed to be getting harnesses, but I don't know what they're going to hook the harnesses to," she said, and urged that the issue be brought to the mutual-aid fire and rescue meeting for review.
Members noted that Sabatis owns the dam but that Greene participates through an interlocal agreement; one board member said Greene has the most property on Sabatis Pond and that the town should press for safety protocols if it is to remain a participant in dam operations.
The commission plans to request standard operating procedures and safety equipment, and board members agreed to raise the subject with mutual-aid partners to develop safer handling and access solutions for the fishway operations.
