Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, a "plan" has surfaced to intentionally abandon oil-cleaning efforts on some beaches that are crucial for wildlife but not frequented by tourists. Ben Raines at Alabama's Press-Register reports: "While public 'amenity' beaches – such as the tourist beaches in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Gulfport – are to be cleaned until they are oil-free, other areas will not get scrubbed as thoroughly, according to the final draft of a plan written by federal officials." In many ways, this amounts to a BP bailout plan. It's absolutely outrageous! Mr. Raines reports that "the 'SCAT Shoreline Treatment Implementation Framework' was signed in early October by BP PLC, the U.S. Coast Guard and officials from the state environmental agencies in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida." According to the Press-Register: "The agreement establishes 'No Further Treatment' thresholds for beaches, marshes and manmade shorelines." There are many things about this that leave you shaking your head. But let's just look at one or two statements that have become much more telling than they were ever meant to be. First, we hear from BP to learn just who matters in this planning process. The Press-Register quoting BP spokesman Todd Beyer: "It ...
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