The Coast Guard and other federal agencies, along with Washington and Oregon state agencies responded in May to a tar-like substance from an unknown source affecting a shoreline near Beards Hollow, Wash., and multiple birds in northern Oregon and southern Washington.
The oil spill response organization NWFF Environmental was contracted to clean up tar balls along Benson Beach and a beach at Beards Hollow in Ilwaco, Wash. Responders collected samples of the tar balls and sent them to a lab for analysis.
The first reports of tar balls and potentially contaminated wildlife began May 19, and as of 4 p.m. May 21, a total of 10 contaminated birds had been located at various locations extending from Lincoln City, Ore. north to Long Beach, Wash.
The Coast Guard conducted a shoreline assessment in Long Beach, Wash. and two helicopter overflights of the Oregon and Washington coastlines with no reports of additional affected areas.
A joint team consisting of members from Washington Ecology and the Coast Guard conducted shoreline assessments along Long Beach.
The Coast Guard has advised the public not to handle any tar or oily product found or attempt to assist affected wildlife along the shore, as untrained handling of affected wildlife is dangerous to animals and any individuals attempting to help.
Instead, findings can be reported to 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737).
As of early June, the Coast Guard and other agencies were still working to determine the source of the tar-like substance.
In addition to the Coast Guard, other agencies involved in this response were the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Washington Department of Ecology; Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.