Louisiana Officials Start Their Own Spill Response

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says he's diverting equipment being used to restore wetlands to areas now getting soaked in oil. He's joining coastal leaders in supporting plans for building sand bars along barrier islands to block oil from the marshes. State and local officials are still waiting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve the plans submitted earlier this month. They say they'll approach private companies next week to start dredging. The National Guard built a smaller version of what Jindal wants, and he says it's protecting marshes from heavy oil that's coming ashore. He says it's easier to clean beaches than thick plants on islands of mud. The Coast Guard says it's still reviewing the proposal.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.