Secretary Salazar visits Gulf Coast

GULF SHORES, Alabama (WALA) - Protecting the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a top priority. It's so important, Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar paid a visit to the refuge Wednesday. Salazar toured the refuge by boat and helped put out boom. He said these areas are important for the future of our environment.

Salazar started his day by doing a fly-over of the Gulf of Mexico.

"Personally looking at it, I can just tell you it's a troublesome sight. It's not anything I would ever want to see in our waters. It's very troublesome," Salazar said.

The secretary said there are areas where there's a very dark brown color indicating heavy oil. In other areas, there is no evidence of oil at all. Salazar said prevention is the key.

"Booms have worked in the past, but there are limitations. It's an effort that's going to take constant diligence to make sure they pass the test," Salazar added.

One thing Salazar did make very clear was the role of British Petroleum.

"We are confident and committed that the U.S. will not spend any taxpayers money in terms of removal or clean-up. Those are the responsibility of BP under law," said Salazar.

Salazar said he will not rest until the job is done protecting the environment and the people of the Gulf Coast.