Tar balls, oiled birds found on Oregon and Washington coasts
Federal and state agencies in Oregon and Washington are responding to a tar-like substance from an unknown source affecting a shoreline near Ilwaco, Washington, and multiple birds in northern Oregon and southern Washington.
Tar patties about the size of sand dollars also have been reported on beaches on the north and central Oregon coast.
The source is currently unknown, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release.
The spill comes just ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend, when many people travel to the coast.
The Coast Guard is advising the public against handling any tar or oily product found or attempting to assist affected wildlife along the shore.
Instead, people are asked to report findings to 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737).
The first reports of tar balls and potentially contaminated wildlife began on May 19.
As of Tuesday afternoon, a total of 10 contaminated birds had been located at various locations extending from Lincoln City north to Long Beach, Washington.
In Washington, rescue personnel recovered four live contaminated Common Murres, as well as two dead contaminated murres. One of the live murres was euthanized following further evaluation of its injuries.
Four contaminated murres were recovered alive in Oregon.
According to a press release from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, tar patties around the size of sand dollars were reported on Cannon Beach on Wednesday and then confirmed by the Coast Guard.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Thursday also reported tar patties near Lincoln City on the central Oregon Coast, according to DEQ.
The oil spill response organization NWFF Environmental has been contracted to clean up tar balls that were discovered along Benson Beach and a beach at Beards Hollow in Washington.
Responders have collected samples of the tar balls and sent them to a lab for analysis.
A joint team consisting of members from Washington Ecology and the Coast Guard conducted shoreline assessments Tuesday along Long Beach.
A unified command is being formed by the Oregon agencies and partner agencies in Washington state.
In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard, multiple agencies are involved in the response. They include:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Ecology
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Tar balls, oiled birds found on Oregon and Washington coasts
