Frustration Oozes in Darkening Gulf

Anger is oozing along the Gulf Coast along with the oil washing into delicate coastal wetlands, with residents questioning the federal government and others wondering how to clean up the monthlong mess that worsens each day. "It's difficult to clean up when you haven't stopped the source," says a New Orleans councilman. "You can scrape it off the beach but it's coming right back."

"The government should have stepped in and not just taken BP's word," says one resident. But law prevents the feds from just taking over: In the wake of Exxon Valdez, Congress dictated that oil companies be responsible for dealing with major accidents—including paying for all cleanup—with federal oversight. Frustrated local and state officials were also waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to issue permits so they can build sand berms in front of islands and wetlands to act as buffers. (More Gulf oil spill stories.)