As we move beyond the first-year anniversary of the Gulf oil spill, scientists are slamming BP for taking "far too long" in allocating tens of millions in research funding to assess environmental damages tied to the disaster. In fact, some scientists say it may already be too late to ever get an accurate evaluation – and I would argue that's got BP execs high-fiving in Houston. The immediacy of the evidence-gathering is critical, so with each passing day (that BP withholds funding), the likelihood decreases that scientists will be able to get the research done before the trail of evidence goes cold. An Associated Press report quotes ecotoxicologist Dana Wetzel from Florida's Mote Marine Laboratory: "It's like a murder scene. You have to pick up the evidence now." BP pledged $500 million – $50 million a year for 10 years – in research funding to study the spill's impacts and develop plans for handling future disasters. This year's funding is long overdue and the delay may cause researchers to miss the spring spawning for marine life, like shrimp, and nesting season for sea birds like pelicans. From the AP report: Michael Carron, a Mississippi marine scientist selected to head the BP-funded post-spill research ...
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