State Leaders Frustrated With Clean-up Response

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – State and local leaders want to build 80 miles of sand bars to block oil now seeping into wetlands. They're blasting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for taking weeks to approve dredging permits.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry says all plans must be evaluated.

"I do sense the frustration, however, we have to really look at this response and support these people as best as possible, but proceed cautiously on introducing any kind of a novel idea or a different idea for how you might fight a spill response."

Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says coastal protection can't interfere with the overall clean-up.

"What I'm trying to do is make sure we understand the implications of their proposal as it relates to the spill response."

But leaders in coastal areas say they will begin a private dredging plan next week.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.