Messy cleanup of BP oil spill damages the Gulf

By CAIN BURDEAU Associated Press Writer

FOURCHON BEACH, La. (AP) - The 5,600 vessels taking part in the oil spill operation on the Gulf of Mexico make up the largest fleet assembled since the Allied invasion of Normandy, according to the Coast Guard.

Hordes of helicopters, bulldozers, Army trucks, ATVs, barges, dredges, airboats, workboats, cleanup crews, media, scientists and volunteers have descended on the beaches and marshes of the Gulf Coast.

That's a lot of propellers, anchors, tires, and feet for a fragile ecosystem to take, and a tough truth is emerging: In many places, the oil cleanup itself is causing environmental damage.

Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and oil began gushing into the Gulf, federal, state and BP officials say they've been guided in their response by picking the less damaging cleanup method.