Frustration Mounts As Oil Seeps Into Gulf Wetlands

[cal04]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/22/frustration-mounts-as-oil_n_585913.html

Anger grew along the Gulf Coast as an ooze of oil washed into delicate coastal wetlands in Louisiana, with many wondering how to clean up the monthlong mess – especially now that BP's latest try to plug the blown-out well won't happen until at least Tuesday.

"It's difficult to clean up when you haven't stopped the source," said Chris Roberts, a councilman for Jefferson Parish, which stretches from the New Orleans metropolitan area to the coast. "You can scrape it off the beach but it's coming right back."

Roberts surveyed the oil that forced officials to close a public beach on Grand Isle, south of New Orleans, as globs of crude that resembled melted chocolate washed up. Others questioned why BP PLC was still in charge of the response.

"The government should have stepped in and not just taken BP's word," declared Wayne Stone of Marathon, Fla., an avid diver who worries about the spill's effect on the ecosystem.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Also from that same article regarding the legalities and congressional acts passed:

As simple as it may seem, the law prevents the government from just taking over, Allen said. After the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, Congress dictated that oil companies be responsible for dealing with major accidents – including paying for all cleanup – with oversight by federal agencies.

[FarCenter]

2. How fragile can the Gulf wetlands be?

They are tolerating about half the nation's crap, from Missoula to Pittsburgh, that flows out of the Mississippi delta.