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Signs of oil spill recovery entering new phase
July 31, 2010 01:25 EDT

BILOXI, Miss. (AP) -- Local fishermen say they're doubtful about plans to scale back the oil cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico and that oil remains a bigger problem than BP and the federal government are letting on.

But there were signs Friday that the era of thousands of oil-skimming boats and hazmat-suited beach crews is giving way to long-term clean up, compensating people for losses and understanding the damage.

BP's new boss said Friday it's time for a "scaleback." Federal officials say the crude won't reach the East Coast. And fishing areas are starting to reopen.

Some people contend the spill has been overblown. But Bob Dudley, who heads BP's oil spill recovery and will take over as CEO in October, says "anyone who thinks this wasn't a catastrophe must be far away from it."

Plans to plug the well permanently hit a snag when crews found debris in the bottom of the relief well. The debris must be fished out.

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Associated Press Writer