The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are pressing for answers about what toxic chemicals may have reached the Columbia River following a catastrophic industrial accident at a paper mill in Longview, Washington — and their chairman is making clear the Tribes will remain engaged until they get them.
The Disaster
On May 26, a 900,000-gallon storage tank containing "white liquor" — a highly corrosive chemical mixture used in paper production — failed catastrophically at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview. Eleven workers were killed in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the Pacific Northwest in recent memory.
During the emergency response, heavily diluted chemical wastewater was directed into storm drains and waterways. The Columbia River, a life-giving resource for Indigenous peoples across the region for thousands of years, lies downstream.
The Tribes Speak
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Chairman Dennis White III issued a formal statement expressing grief for the workers and their families — and calling for environmental accountability on behalf of the Tribes and the river they have depended on since time immemorial.
"First and foremost, we are saddened to hear of the workers who lost their lives in Longview," Chairman White said. "We are its voice" — referring to the Columbia River — "and the Columbia River must be protected."
The Tribes called for strict environmental accountability and full transparency regarding any contamination that may have reached the Columbia River. Tribal leadership stated they would remain actively involved in demanding full transparency as federal and state investigations unfold.
Investigations Underway
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and Washington State Labor and Industries have launched comprehensive investigations into the structural integrity and maintenance records of the failed Nippon Dynawave tank. Environmental regulators are also examining the extent of any river contamination.
For the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs — whose treaty rights, cultural practices, and food sovereignty are deeply tied to the Columbia River system and its salmon — the stakes go beyond environmental regulation. The river is central to Tribal identity, ceremony, and sustenance.
Ongoing Monitoring
The Tribes have indicated they are monitoring ongoing water quality data and will continue to advocate for the health of the Columbia River and those who depend on it. Warm Springs community members are encouraged to follow updates through KWSO 91.9 FM and the Tribal government's official communications channels.