BP (NYSE:BP) Money Wasted on Louisiana Sand Berms

Evidently in an effort to use up all the money provided by BP (NYSE:BP) to construct sand berms in Louisiana, the government continues to have them built with little value to the state, as the oil is for the most part gone from the Gulf.

This is probably an attempt to keep people working, but it still doesn't make much sense whatever way you look at it.

Berms are used to protect coastlines from oil reaching them. They are basically miniature sand islands lying low in the water. BP paid $360 million to build the berms.

According to experts, the any oil left in the Gulf is widely dispersed, making berms basically useless.

Of course these "experts" don't want to have the money given back to BP, but used on other projects. Since when was money supplied by BP to be used as if it was taxes collected from citizens which could be applied to whatever the government wanted it to be?

Some of the so-called experts are from universities, which explains a lot, as they are greedily eyeing the money for their own pet projects, which is where most of the major criticism is coming from.

Louisiana officials are asserting the threat of oil staining the shores of Louisiana are still there, but that's highly unlikely.

Like any government entity, once they get the money they'll keep on using it till it runs out no matter how wasteful their actions are.

Louisiana Holding BP (NYSE:BP) to Promises

While there's not really any reason at this time to think it, some people are getting nervous now that BP (NYSE:BP) has permanently plugged the oil well, thinking they may cut and run in spite of past promises.

Louisiana, which seems to be the most fearful and paranoid throughout the ordeal, of the Gulf states, let it be known there is still a lot of work to be done in the area.

BP has said from the beginning that they're going to clean up the area, and it isn't clear what prompted Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Bob Barham and Governor Bobby Jindal to imply BP wasn't going to do it.

Barham said, "Just because the well is plugged does not mean this event, the final chapter, has been closed."

Jindal has said until the coast of Louisiana is restored to pre-spill conditions, BP will have a job to do and pay for.

BP (NYSE:BP) Gives LA. $15 Million For Mental Health Counseling

BP (NYSE:BP) is giving Louisiana $15 million to the health department. It is meant to be used to provide mental services for those people effected by the worst oil spill disaster in U.S. history.

Governor Bobby Jindal's office said the money will be used to help pay for clinical visits, counseling, support services, outreach, and medications if needed. This was announced Monday at an event with the governor.

A minimum of $6.6 million will be distributed throughout Catholic Charities and other various non-governmental organizations. The rest of the money will be used to pay for state related services, and the regional human services district.

Jindal had originally asked BP for $28 million to pay for mental health services. These services would be distributed over a 13 month time frame in the regions affected by the massive oil spill.

LA. Shrimpers Begin Harvesting, BP (NYSE:BP) Oil Still A Concern

Shrimpers have returned to Louisiana to begin their harvesting season, but there are still concerns about the BP (NYSE:BP) oil that may have effected the shrimp. They are not for sure the price they will get if consumers are concerned about contamination, among other possible effects.

The massive oil spill has effected fishing as a whole in a state that ranks first for its shrimp, oysters, blue crab, and craw fish. It's a $318 million industry in Louisiana annually. Fisherman have already seen the prices crash in the Summer by scared consumers who stopped purchasing their products.

The biggest fear is that fisherman may try and sell oily seafood. A shrimper from Buras, Dewayne Bayham said, "If you see oil shrimp you got to throw them back over. Go somewhere else. It's all you can do, and you hope everyone else does the same."

On Friday, several fisherman did a test run around Grand Isle and Barataria Bay. Several areas were tralled and than the nets were pulled up revealing shrimp, jellyfish, mud, and driftwood. None of which contained any smell of oil. To reopen harvesting, the Food and Drug Administration has set levels which have to test below 12 various potential cancer causing substances.

First Beach Closed, Thanks To BP (NYSE:BP)

The first beach has been closed in Louisiana thanks to the BP (NYSE:BP) oil spill. Officials in Grand Isle, LA. said this is due to thick gobs of oil being washed up onshore. Until now, only light sheen and tar balls had been washing up.

Now there is also orange colored splotches and heavier brown sheets, the consistency of latex paint says Chris Roberts, a local official who surveyed the area this morning. "You can scrape it off the beach but it's coming right back," said Roberts. As well as an awful stench, it's also coating the grasses and reeds of the Louisiana wetlands.

Doug Suttles, BP executive in charge of fighting the oil spill told CBS Early Show, the gusher could continue on until early August, this would be the worst case scenario. That's when a new well being drilled to permanently cap the flow could be finished.