The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are raising concerns about the long-term ecological impact on the Columbia River after a catastrophic chemical spill at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, sent hundreds of thousands of gallons of a corrosive substance into nearby waterways last month.

What Happened

On May 26, an explosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company mill in Longview, Washington triggered a spill of approximately 900,000 gallons of ‘white liquor’ — a highly caustic chemical used in paper pulp processing — into drainage ditches connected to the Columbia River. The spill killed fish in the immediate drainage area and prompted a major environmental response across Oregon and Washington state.

Emergency crews flushed fire hydrants through drainage systems around the mill to dilute the chemical and restore pH levels. As of early June, Washington state’s Department of Ecology reported that pH in the ditch systems had returned to normal, and no new fish or wildlife mortalities had been reported in the Columbia River itself.

Tribes Call for Continued Vigilance

Despite the cleanup progress, Warm Springs Tribal Chairman Dennis White III issued a statement expressing the tribe’s deep concern about the health of the river — a waterway that has sustained Warm Springs culture, fishing practices, and identity for generations.

“Contaminated water was directed into the Columbia River — a living ecosystem that is directly connected to our people, our culture, and our way of life,” White said. “While reports indicate that river conditions currently meet established safety standards, we can only hope those assessments prove accurate for the well-being of the Columbia River.”

White added that the tribe is watching the ongoing environmental assessments closely and urged government agencies to remain focused on the river’s long-term recovery, not just immediate pH levels.

By the Numbers

  • Nearly 3,000 dead fish recovered from ditch systems near the mill
  • Species affected included common carp, catfish, sunfish, bass, peamouth chub, and at least two hatchery-raised salmon
  • Washington Fish and Wildlife says fish deaths were caused by pH spikes that irritated gills, not direct toxicity
  • No fish or wildlife mortalities have been reported in the main stem of the Columbia River

White Liquor: What It Is

White liquor is a sodium-based chemical solution used to break down wood pulp into paper fibers. It can cause second- or third-degree burns on contact with skin, but environmental scientists say its effects in waterways diminish quickly once diluted — the chemical essentially converts to water and salt as it mixes with natural acids in rivers.

Residents near the lower Columbia River have been advised to avoid sloughs and dike areas while monitoring continues. The Warm Springs Tribe, whose members fish the Columbia as part of treaty-protected rights, say the incident underscores the fragility of the river and the need for robust industrial safeguards.