The EPA is proclaiming that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan to construct sand berms designed to protect his state’s shores are ill-conceived and will cause greater damage while providing no protection. The Army Corps of Engineers has responsibility to approve such construction and did give permission to the state to construct sand berms on May 27. The EPA has requested in writing that the Corps pull those permits and reconsider. The agency said that the four miles that have been constructed so far are not stopping the oil from progressing to the wetlands and barrier islands and are in fact providing a barrier to turtles, birds and other wildlife trying to migrate to the shore areas.

Garret Graves, a Jindal aide who handles coastal affairs, said "some the heaviest oiling on Louisiana's coast" occurred on the constructed berms. He further said that the state National Guard has removed over 1,000 pounds of oily debris from the sand berms.

According to the story, neither side of the argument presented any data. Graves also said that the birds appear to be attracted to the tops of the sand berms and the population seems to be actually increasing.

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle added, "To be honest, most of these people sit behind a computer; they all have degrees, but none of them have a lick of commonsense. They're worried about these islands. In the 1930s and 1940s, all these islands were connected. What is wrong with us dredging and building these islands back up and trying to connect these islands?"