Coast Guard Oil Cleanup Report, WEAR, February 13, 2011:
[T]he Coast Guard is saying that a complete cleanup could cause more harm than good. ...
[P]arts of the report acknowledge that there are some species that could be adversely affected by the oil remaining both above and below the sand's surface. Especially adult shore birds and sea turtle hatchlings. ...
The report also acknowledges the massive submerged oil tarmats that exist in the water. Scientists say the oil is not very weathered, making it more toxic than tarballs on the surface. ...
Here's a good example of government stupidity:
"The report will help guide oil spill responders’ transition to monitoring and maintenance operations to address remnant oil deposits that remain on beaches that have already been successfully cleaned."
If the beaches have been SUCCESSFULLY cleaned, they wouldn't have remnant oil deposits!
http://www.restorethegulf.gov/release/2011/02/11/federal-science-report-analyzes-environmental-risks-and-benefits-additional-clean