In a controversial emergency measure, BP will pay $360 million so Louisiana can build sand berms along six reaches of barrier islands in an effort to protect oil from invading the state’s delicate marshes and buffer against hurricane storm surge.
The plan was proposed by Plaquemines Parish and supported by the state of Louisiana. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also agreed to permit the work, although Louisiana has not taken out the permits, as of June 3.