BP's deep cleaning to start Monday; scientist wonders whether tilling could disrupt beaches

By  David Ferrara

As BP PLC begins an intense effort Monday to remove lingering tar balls, tar mats and oil stains from Alabama’s beaches and restore the sugar-white sand, officials in the coastal towns plan to keep a daily watch on the cleanup.

Crews, back hoes and the oil company’s “Sand Shark” beach cleaners are expected to roll onto the shore at 6 a.m., starting at the Alabama-Florida border and moving westward.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon is part of the reason BP is starting at the east side of the state. He has vowed to make sure his city’s shores are clean by the end of the year. That’s when tourists start making plans for spring break and summer, he said.

“I’m going to put every amount of pressure every way I can on them to make sure they finish by Jan. 1,” Kennon said. “We’re trying to run a business down here, and you can’t run a business with bulldozers on the beach.”

While BP has balked at the date, saying weather or other unexpected incidents could interrupt progress, company spokesman Ray Melick said the plan is to spend 12 hours a day — from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — working “full bore” to the western edge of Fort Morgan.

Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said the two cities would work with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to monitor progress of the cleanup.

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