(Astoria, OR) -- A unified command consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Washington Department of Ecology has been established to coordinate the cleanup of tar balls washing up on beaches. The source of the oily substance isn't known. Tests are underway to learn more about the substance. Several birds have been found covered in oil. Oil spill response organizations have been contracted to clean up the material. Beachgoers are advised to not touch the tar balls and keep dogs away from them.