10 June 2026
Hello Everyone,
Further to the posting of the industrial accident at the Longview Paper Mill in Washington State, USA, ‘MP’ has researched how you can help the most to get attention to the nests where the chicks are dying due to a lack of fish because of the explosion and release of toxins into the branches of and the Columbia River.
Please make the calls.
For anyone who is local or watching from afar, here are meaningful thing’s that can be done to help.
This is from Co-pilot AL on identifying which agency would be most responsive when contacted.
This is a situation where the right agencies will pay attention, but only if the impacts on raptors are reported through the correct channels. Osprey are a sentinel species, and what you’re seeing is ecologically significant.
Below is a ranked list of the agencies and wildlife groups most likely to respond to or investigate osprey impacts tied to the Columbia River fish kill.
🦅 Top Agencies & Groups to Contact About Osprey Impacts
1. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) – Highest Priority
Why they matter:
They are the primary state agency responsible for raptors, fish populations, and ecological impacts. They do track osprey nest success in some regions and will take reports of nest failures, starvation, and abnormal behavior.
What they can act on:
- Osprey nest failures
- Prey scarcity affecting raptors
- Fish kill impacts on wildlife
- Habitat disruption
Where to report:
WDFW Wildlife Reporting Hotline (non-emergency)
WDFW Regional Office (Region 5 – Vancouver/Longview area)
2. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) – Migratory Birds Program
Why they matter:
Osprey are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and USFWS oversees large-scale ecological impacts, especially when industrial pollution affects protected species.
What they can act on:
- Mortality events
- Nest abandonment
- Food-web disruptions
- Potential violations of federal wildlife protections
They may coordinate with EPA if the spill caused ongoing harm to protected birds.
3. Washington Department of Ecology – Spill Response Program
Why they matter:
They are already leading the chemical spill investigation. They need wildlife impact data to assess the full scope of damage.
What they can act on:
- Documenting secondary ecological impacts
- Expanding monitoring zones
- Triggering additional cleanup or enforcement actions
They often rely on citizen reports to identify downstream effects.
4. Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)
Why they matter:
CRITFC monitors fish populations, river health, and ecological impacts across tribal territories. They have biologists who track fish availability and predator-prey dynamics.
What they can act on:
- Fish population collapse
- Impacts on culturally important species
- Habitat degradation
They are highly responsive to ecological concerns.
5. Local Audubon Chapters (Portland Audubon, Vancouver Audubon)
Why they matter:
Audubon groups monitor raptor nests, conduct citizen science, and often escalate wildlife concerns to state and federal agencies.
What they can act on:
- Osprey nest monitoring
- Field verification
- Public awareness
- Coordinating volunteer observations
They are often the fastest to respond and can mobilize observers.
6. Osprey-Specific Research Groups
These groups track nest success and population trends:
- Oregon State University Osprey Research Program
- University of Montana Osprey Monitoring Project (they sometimes consult on regional events)
They may not be enforcement agencies, but they do document ecological disruptions and publish findings.
🧭 Who Will Actually Care the Most?
If you want the highest likelihood of action:
Start with WDFW + USFWS + Audubon.
Those three together create a triangle of:
- regulatory authority
- scientific oversight
- on-the-ground monitoring
The observations of starving chicks and siblicide are exactly the kind of data they need.
Thank you MP for continuing to follow up on this story.