Scientists say it’s taking too long to get millions in BP money to study oil spill’s impact
4/24/2011NEW ORLEANS — Scientists say it is taking too long to dole out millions of dollars in BP funds for badly needed Gulf oil spill research, and it could be too late to assess the crude’s impact by the time studies begin.
The spring nesting and spawning season is a crucial time to collect samples. Yet no money has been made available for this year, and it could take months to determine which projects will be funded.
BP PLC had pledged $50 million a year over 10 years to study the spill’s impact.
Michael Carron, a Mississippi marine scientist selected to head the BP-funded post-spill research project, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, acknowledged not being able to study the spring spawning in full bloom would be a problem.