A plastic American flag sits in a pool of oil in front of a beach side condominium at Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA on 04 July 2010. Usually the weekend of 04 July, when the USA celebrates its independence from British rule, is a busy time for the Gulf Coast but the threat of oil on the beaches and rough waters caused by what is left from Hurricane Alex have kept people away. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began two months ago, is the largest in US history and continues to threaten wildlife, the ecosystem and the economy of the Gulf Coast as BP and government officials attempt to stop the flow and remove what has already been released. EPA/DAN ANDERSON
A plastic American flag sits in a pool of oil as people walk across the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA on 04 July 2010. Usually the weekend of 04 July, when the USA celebrates its independence from British rule, is a busy time for the Gulf Coast but the threat of oil on the beaches and rough waters caused by what is left from Hurricane Alex have kept people away. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began two months ago, is the largest in US history and continues to threaten wildlife, the ecosystem and the economy of the Gulf Coast as BP and government officials attempt to stop the flow and remove what has already been released. EPA/DAN ANDERSON
Two USA Coast Guard officiers drive by patches of oil in front of a beach side condominium at Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA on 04 July 2010. Usually the weekend of 04 July, when the USA celebrates its independence from British rule, is a busy time for the Gulf Coast but the threat of oil on the beaches and rough waters caused by what is left from Hurricane Alex have kept people away. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began two months ago, is the largest in US history and continues to threaten wildlife, the ecosystem and the economy of the Gulf Coast as BP and government officials attempt to stop the flow and remove what has already been released. EPA/DAN ANDERSON
Jay Hinson looks at a plastic American flag sitting in a pool of oil on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA on 04 July 2010. Usually the weekend of 04 July, when the USA celebrates its independence from British rule, is a busy time for the Gulf Coast but the threat of oil on the beaches and rough waters caused by what is left from Hurricane Alex have kept people away. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began two months ago, is the largest in US history and continues to threaten wildlife, the ecosystem and the economy of the Gulf Coast as BP and government officials attempt to stop the flow and remove what has already been released. EPA/DAN ANDERSON
(left to right) Carol and Aaron Jackson walk by dried tar balls at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA on 04 July 2010. Usually the weekend of 04 July, when the USA celebrates its independence from British rule, is a busy time for the Gulf Coast but the threat of oil on the beaches and rough waters caused by what is left from Hurricane Alex have kept people away. The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which began two months ago, is the largest in US history and continues to threaten wildlife, the ecosystem and the economy of the Gulf Coast as BP and government officials attempt to stop the flow and remove what has already been released. EPA/DAN ANDERSON
The tanker 'A Whale' conducts a test of its oil skimming capabilities on open water as part of the Deepwater Horizon response on 04 July 2010. The converted tanker ship is being evaluated on the effectiveness of its untested oil recovery systems. The ship was recently converted in Lisbon, Portugal in June with the hope that it will vacuum up oily water, separate the oil and return the water to the sea. EPA/MATTHEW BELSON / COAST GUARD/HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
The tanker 'A Whale' (L) conducts a test of its oil skimming capabilities on open water as part of the Deepwater Horizon response on 04 July 2010. The converted tanker ship is being evaluated on the effectiveness of its untested oil recovery systems. The ship was recently converted in Lisbon, Portugal in June with the hope that it will vacuum up oily water, separate the oil and return the water to the sea. EPA/MATTHEW BELSON / COAST GUARD/HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
Photo released by the US Coast Guard on 06 July 2010 shows Ronnie Rouse, of T&T Marine Salvage, a company contracted to clean tar balls off of the beaches near Galveston, Texas, USA picks up a tar ball on East Beach on 06 July 2010. Once collected, the tar balls are sent to a lab to be tested, where experts analyze the results in an attempt to find the oil source. Out in the Gulf, stormy weather kept skimmers from working offshore for yet another day and delayed the hookup of a big new ship intended to suck more crude from the gushing well. EPA/Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner / USA COAST GUARD HANDOU EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALESepa Photo released by the US Coast Guard on 06 July 2010 shows Ronnie Rouse, of T&T Marine Salvage, a company contracted to clean tar balls off of the beaches near Galveston, Texas, USA picks up a tar ball on East Beach on 06 July 2010. Once collected, the tar balls are sent to a lab to be tested, where experts analyze the results in an attempt to find the oil source. Out in the Gulf, stormy weather kept skimmers from working offshore for yet another day and delayed the hookup of a big new ship intended to suck more crude from the gushing well. EPA/Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner / USA COAST GUARD HANDOU EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES
Ronnie Rouse (L), of T&T Marine Salvage, a company contracted to clean tar balls off of the beaches near Galveston, Texas, USA and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Garcia of Marine Safety Unit Galveston, discuss how to dispose of a tar ball on East Beach on 06 July 2010. Once collected, the tar balls are sent to a lab to be tested, where experts analyze the results in an attempt to find the oil source. Out in the Gulf, stormy weather kept skimmers from working offshore for yet another day and delayed the hookup of a big new ship intended to suck more crude from the gushing well. EPA/Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner / USA COAST GUARD HANDOUT
A shrimp boat sits idle in The Rigolets, one of the entrances from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA, 07 July 2010. Oil from the ruptured Deepwater Horizon well has begun seeping into The Rigolets, threatening another environmental disaster for Lake Pontchartrain, which was rescued from pollution in the 1990s. The Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico continues to spread impacting fishermen and tourist revenues along the Louisiana to Alabama coasts. EPA/ANN HEISENFELT
