Comment ends on tar balls on Oregon/Washington coast, but oily sheen, source still a mystery

Published on 18-06-24 at 04:25
By Andre’ Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection

(Astoria, Oregon) – The tar supply to the Oregon and Washington coasts is apparently over, so the Unified Command group of several federal and state agencies has completed their work to address the issue. However, its source still remains a mystery, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) told Oregon Coast Beach Connection that the sheen spotted off Cannon Beach in May was only observed once and never again.

Approximately 113 individuals from 14 different agencies/companies responded to the small disaster, and those cleaning the beaches collected nearly 2,000 pounds of the material from Washington and Oregon beaches. 36 miles of beaches were cleaned, the USCG said, and more than 300 miles were surveyed.

Coast Guard Cmdr. Bonnie Stewart of the Unified Command said the environmental issues were resolved fairly quickly. During the first few days of June, as the operation was winding down, crews took advantage of the low tide and were able to clear the last of the debris just after a storm.

“No beaches have been re-oiled and all oiled beaches have now been cleaned,” she said.

Stewart also thanked all the first responders and agencies involved.

There may still be some left on area beaches, and beachgoers may encounter more. To report tar balls on the beach or oil in the water, Stewart said to call the National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802.

“If you encounter tar balls, wash the area thoroughly with soap or degreasing dish soap and water,” the USCG said. “Avoid the use of solvents, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel or similar products.”\

Dozens of shorebirds were contaminated by the oily substance and many died. Some were fortunate to be cleared by local groups such as the Wildlife Center of the North Coast near Astoria.

Meanwhile, the USCG said experts are still investigating the cause and source of the oil. Not much has been learned about the substance since tests showed it was petroleum-based and the compounds detected were consistent with oil products.

By late May, the oil slicks on Washington’s southern coast had stopped washing up and began hitting the northern half of Oregon’s beaches. Apparently none were seen outside the Yachats area. A USCG helicopter and jet flyover spotted an oily sheen off the north coast and investigators thought there might be a clue.

However, USCG 13th District spokesman Travis Magee told Oregon Coast Beach Connection that the case was not concluded, and nothing more was noted through subsequent looks at the area.

“On Thursday, May 23, a Coast Guard flyover spotted a sheen on the water surface approximately 1 to 2.5 miles offshore of Cannon Beach,” Magee said. “It has not been confirmed whether this sheen is directly related to the tar balls washing up. There have been no further reports of shine since then.”

The 14 entities involved were:

US Coast Guard
Sector Columbia River
Pacific Strike Team
National Pollution Fund Center
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Response and Recovery
U.S. Fish and Game Service
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Department of Emergency Management
Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Department of Forestry
Oregon Department of Transportation
Washington Department of Ecology
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Pacific County Emergency Management Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Tolowa Dee Ni Nation
Shoalwater Bay Tribe
Endpoint
Focus on wildlife
NWFF Environment
Republic Services
Ballard shipbuilding