the oil slick a "very, very thin layer of oil residue" while encouraging people not to panic

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http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100526/NEWS/5260356/State+s+leaders+downplaying+oil+spill+s+effects

State's leaders downplaying oil spill's effects

Molly Parker • [e-mail] • May 26, 2010

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant rejected a man's claim that he could smell gasoline on the Gulf Coast.

Gov. Haley Barbour called most of the oil slick a "very, very thin layer of oil residue" while encouraging people not to panic or assume the worst.

Compared to their Southern counterparts, Mississippi's top political leaders have treated the April 20 rig explosion and subsequent leak gently - to the chagrin of critics.

That spill is threatening sensitive marshlands, parking commercial fishing boats, thwarting tourism and testing the public's patience as BP PLC sets about another risky attempt to plug the gusher.