A unified response of federal, state and local agencies are worked to track and cleanup a tar-like substance impacting shorelines and wildlife from Moclips, Washington, south to Waldport, Oregon, in late May and early June 2024. The source is not yet known.
The Unified Command concluded the operation on June 7.
Media contacts
Oregon: Dylan Darling, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, dylan.darling@deq.oregon.gov, 541-600-6119
Washington: Jasmin Adams, Washington Department of Ecology, jasmin.adams@ecy.wa.gov, 360-464-0324
U.S. Coast Guard: Public Affairs Detachment Astoria office, 206-819-9154
Please do not try to clean it up yourself. Leave that to the responders.
Key resources:
- If you see oiled wildlife, do not touch or bury it. Instead, call 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737).
- For questions from the public, call 211.
- If you feel you’ve been financially impacted, file a claims at HQS-SMB-NPFC-ClaimsInfo@uscg.mil. For questions about the claims process, call 1-800-280-7118.
- If you see oil in the water, contact 1-800-OILS-911 (1-800-645-7911).
- Follow incident on social media by following Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Facebook and Twitter/X.
- Communications toolkit
QUICK FACTS
Date of incident: First reported May 19, 2024
Location: Moclips, WA to Waldport, OR
Product: Under analysis
Cause: Unknown
Unified Command: U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Department of Ecology
Status Updates
June 7
The Unified Command is concluding its operation to address the presence of tar balls on the Oregon and southern Washington coasts. As we wrap up, we want to ensure that the public remains informed and feels confident about returning to our beautiful beaches.
“The coordinated efforts of multiple agencies and organizations have been instrumental in addressing this environmental issue swiftly and effectively,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Bonnie Stewart of the Unified Command. “We thank all those involved for their commitment to protecting our coastal ecosystems.”
Read the full news release.
June 1
As responders continue to survey and clean up tar balls on impacted beaches, two more Common Murres have been released after successful rehabilitation with Focus Wildlife.
They were both released at Washington Park, located off the coast of Anacortes, Washington on Friday – far from where the tar has been found. These birds were originally found off the southern Washington Coast.
When these birds are found, they’re taken in and stabilized, cleaned and monitored in a pool to ensure their feathers will once again be waterproof. This allows the birds to stay warm and function normally in the wild.
Please do not try to handle affected wildlife. This is dangerous for you and the animal. Instead, call 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737) to alert trained rehabilitators.
Untrained handling of affected wildlife is dangerous to the animals and any individuals attempting to help.
The source of the petroleum-based tar is under investigation, with multiple agencies involved and assisting.
To report oil sightings, please call 1-800-258-5990.
More information on the cleanup efforts can be found on Oregon DEQ’s Facebook, Twitter/X and here: http://ordeq.org/beach-tar.
Photo courtesy of Focus Wildlife
May 29
Focus Wildlife out of Washington released the first fully rehabilitated bird yesterday, on Fidalgo Island in Anacortes, Washington, far north of the affected area.
Responders have been surveying beaches for tar balls and cleaning up beaches that were impacted. Crews are working as quickly as they can, and more teams are arriving to help.
Beaches with sensitive habitat, like snowy plover management areas, have been identified as priorities. Responders will also be coordinating with Tribes to ensure cleanup work protects cultural resources.
Try to avoid touching or handling tar balls, deceased animals, or any other oily material. Keep dogs and other pets away and leave cleanup to professional crews.
Also, please do not try to handle affected wildlife. This is dangerous for you and the animal. Instead call 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737) to alert trained rehabilitators.
You can access the latest graphics, signs and talking points in the communications toolkit./ Learn more: http://ordeq.org/beach-tar
May 28
A common murre was released today by Focus Wildlife, one of the rehabilitation organizations assisting with the mystery petroleum-based tar incident. This is the first release of a bird affected by this incident.
The oiled bird was received by the wildlife center on May 20, 2024. It was stabilized, cleaned and monitored in a pool to verify that its feathers had returned to a waterproof condition that would allow the animal to stay warm and behave normally in the wild. The bird was released on Fidalgo Island in Anacortes, WA. This island is far north of the areas impacted by tar balls.
More rehabilitated birds are expected to be released in the coming days. If any oiled wildlife are seen, the public is asked to report these findings to 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737). Please do not attempt to help affected wildlife along the shore or bury any deceased wildlife.
Untrained handling of affected wildlife is dangerous to the animals and any individuals attempting to help.
Responders continue to survey beaches along the Oregon and Washington coasts for tar-like patties and impacted wildlife. The substance has been determined to be petroleum-based.
Please try to avoid touching or handling the tar balls or any other oily material. Keep dogs and other pets away from the materials. Leave cleanup to professional crews.
You can access the latest graphics, signs and talking points in our communications toolkit.
May 27
Responders continue to survey beaches along the Oregon and Washington coasts for tar-like patties and impacted wildlife. The substance has been determined to be petroleum-based.
Again, try to avoid touching the tar-like substance – if you do make sure to wash it off with soap that cuts grease. You can use shampoo or dish cleaner for hair as well.
Responders are aware of a dead humpback whale that washed ashore at Nehalem Bay State Park Monday morning, May 27. NOAA was unable to confirm a cause of death on-scene and will know more as they complete a full necropsy later this week. There was no obvious cause of death and nothing to suggest any connection with the tar washing ashore upon the initial assessment.
The whale washed ashore near a snowy plover management area. Oregon’s beaches are protected nesting grounds for a small shorebird called the western snowy plover.
Keep your distance and do not touch the carcass. People and pets should stay away from the whale. The habitat is sensitive and researchers need space to collect samples.
You can access the latest graphics, signs and talking points in our communications toolkit.
May 26
Responders continue to survey beaches along the Oregon and Washington coasts for tar-like patties and impacted wildlife. The substance has been determined to be petroleum-based.
Please leave cleanup to professional responders who are trained and equipped to handle this type of material.
If you come into contact with the beach tar, wash the area with soap or degreasing dishwashing detergent and water. Avoid using solvents, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel or similar products.
Get this social media image and other helpful tools in the communications toolkit.
May 25
Responders continue to survey beaches along the Oregon and Washington coasts for tar-like patties and impacted wildlife.
Again, try to avoid touching the tar-like substance – if you do make sure to wash it off with soap that cuts grease. You can use shampoo or dish cleaner for hair as well.
Read our most recent news release.
Get the flyer to the right in our communications toolkit.
May 24
You may see these signs near beach access points.
May 23
Information on this site is considered to be accurate at the time of posting but is subject to change as new information becomes available.
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