"The Gulf of Mexico is close to being back to normal and there are no indications of any long-term damage from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, a BP report released Monday says.

“The science is showing that most of the environmental impact occurred immediately after the accident — during the spring and summer 2010 — in areas near the wellhead and along oiled beaches and marshes,” the report says. “Areas that were affected are recovering, and data BP has collected and analyzed to date do not indicate a significant long-term impact to the population of any Gulf species.”

Those conclusions were quickly contested as the report circulated among state agencies and nonprofit organizations.

State and coastal environmental groups said it was just the latest attempt by BP to say “all is well” in an attempt to limit its damages and fines."

Amy Wold reports for the New Orleans Advocate March 17, 2015. [2]