Mid-morning, the oil company announced it had replaced the “choke line,” which is designed to carry oil from the cap to a ship on the surface if needed. BP officials said they expected to resume pressure tests later today.

The 48 hour long tests will be crucial to determine the best way to control the leaking oil well until BP can finish drilling a relief well to pump heavy drilling mud into the damaged well and shut it down once and for all.

Ideally, BP would like to use the new cap to temporarily plug the leak. But if pressure levels are too high, the cap could funnel most or all of the leaking oil through lines leading up to as many as four ships on the surface.

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“I was disappointed,” said BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells, who originally predicted the tests would begin Tuesday. But he added that it was important to proceed with caution to ensure the effectiveness and safety of a capping operation that has never before been attempted at such a great depth.

The tests involve shutting valves on the new cap to measure oil pressure levels. A high pressure reading would suggest the cap is successfully containing the oil, whereas low pressure readings might suggest a breach somewhere else in the well.

BP and government officials said they delayed the tests to allow a team of scientists more time to evaluate the potential low pressure readings they might see, and what each reading would indicate as far as weaknesses in the well.

The tests will determine what strategy BP uses to stop the leak. The preferred scenario of pumping heavy drilling mud into the well to “kill” the leak will only work if the well is strong enough to withstand the pressure.

“We don’t want to move forward with a test that gives us inconclusive results. So, we are making sure that doesn’t happen,” Wells said.

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President Barack Obama is in Sin City to campaign for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and the looming question is does it help or hurt Reid’s chances for re-election?

In one of the most watched races in the nation, Reid is locked in a tight race with Republican nominee Sharron Angle for Reid’s senate seat.

Angle is a Tea Party favorite who beat out more moderate candidates for the nomination, but she’s had troubles on the campaign trail, blunders including calling BP’s compensation fund put together to compensate victims, a slush fund.  She later backed off from that statement.

The president can help Reid raise money and remind voters of his clout in Washington, but Obama is not terribly popular in Nevada with recent polls showing 52 percent of voters disapprove of Obama’s performance. Many voters in this battleground state are not happy with the Administration’s health care law or stimulus program.

Still Obama headlined a fundraiser for Harry Reid last night at the Aria Hotel and helped raise close to a million dollars for the Reid campaign, not too shabby … even in Vegas.

The president is also talking about the economy on this trip and how Congress needs to provide more money for clean energy jobs and how that could really help the economy in Nevada, which is suffering through one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation of 14 percent.

As for the fate of the Senate Majority Leader, right Now Harry Reid is seven points down in the most recent polls tracking his race … it’s a long way from the November election, but as for whether Obama can help him boost his poll ratings, it’s a toss up … last time the president was here in Februrary, the numbers stayed the same.

One of the most breathtaking and awesome vistas in the nation can be seen in southern Utah.

That’s where the “It’s Your Land” team traveled to report on the state passing a law to use eminent domain to try and claim some of its land from the federal government.

The new law is controversial. Supporters, such as Utah Republican Governor Gary Herbert say it’s needed to enable his state to have some control over land that cannot be developed or taxed. Even though Washington does provide some funding, he says it is not enough to support the state’s education system.  Opponents doubt the law is constitutional and worry that it could open federal lands to mining.

But there is no doubt, the land in question, whether in federal or state hands, is some of the most

Overwhelmingly beautiful  in the country. We drove throughout southern Utah, and through the dirt roads of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to report on this story, and met Republican state representative Mike Noel, who ranches his property near Kanab. He showed us how they brand their steers, corral the calves, and use the lands for grazing.

For this New York City boy with Utah roots, it was an assignment nothing short of memorable, and It’s Your Land producer Becky Diamond even rode a horse!

Some conservationists see them as spoiling natural beauty. They detest the commercialization of wilderness. In order to see for ourselves, we headed to eastern British Columbia.

Just getting to the route was an adventure. We flew into Calgary, took a car to Banff, a 3 hour bus ride to an old logging road, then a helicopter ride to a remote lodge run by Canadian Mountain Holidays. Once there we took another helicopter ride to the Ferrata.

We were decked out in helmets, harnesses and clips. Once on the mountain we started our ascension. It was exhilarating. Yes, the iron rungs help tremendously, but you still feel like you’re mountain climbing. It’s strenuous and can be dangerous if you make a mistake. It’s definitely not like simply climbing a ladder. The cable that runs next to the iron steps are a life line.

After several hours of tough climbing we came to the signature spot … a 160 foot cable bridge between two mountain peaks. You walk on two-by-four boards which are held together by cables and chains. This is Indiana Jones stuff – only you are the stunt man. I was attached to the cable which was obviously comforting. They still tell you not to look down. If there ever was a fall, the drop is 2,500 feet. I made it to other side and then up one more sheer face to the summit of the Mt. Nimbus tower. But my amazing day was not over. Getting down was the really scary part.

It forced you to look down as your foot is feeling for the iron rung or a piece of rock to cling to. Then came the 200 foot repel down a vertical cliff. You have to completely trust your guide as you shove off the side. Two people in our group did not make it to the top. One was trying to overcome a fear of heights he has had since a near miss during a construction accident.

Now that it’s over, I can understand where the hard core conservationists are coming from, but I see no problem with Via Ferrata’s on a limited basis. You would not want these all over the wilderness, because it would take away some of the enjoyment for the people who have trained their whole lives to become expert climbers only to see a stairway to the heavens for rookies. This location was so remote the only way you would see it is through a guide company like Canadian Mountain Holidays. Weekend climbers could never get there.

We got there and had the most amazing day of work ever. What a job!

In Arizona the sun is scorching with temperatures of up to 114 degrees on a typical summer day.  Nowhere does it seem more scalding hot however than right in front of the Capitol building in Phoenix, which has become ground zero for the fight over illegal immigration.  Recently the Governor here, Jan Brewer signed SB1070, a law that would give local law enforcement the right to ask people for their legal documents if they are being questioned for a separate possible crime, like a traffic stop or robbery….and only if there is reason to believe they might be here illegally.

Supporters argue it is no different than the existing federal law which says it is a crime to be in this country illegally, and that local law enforcement should have the right to arrest people who are breaking the law.  Critics say SB 1070 is a violation of civil rights and would lead to rampant racial profiling.

Thursday the President made what he called a major address on the need for comprehensive immigration reform.  He talked a lot about the accomplishments of some famous immigrants who have come to our country over the years and how this country was built on the backs of immigrants and we needed to have a policy that was more welcoming.  He also talked about the plain fact that people who are here illegally are cutting in line in front of others who have been waiting for citizenship for years.  What he didn’t offer was more specifics, a plan or a timetable to begin this immigration debate in Washington.

That left people on both sides of the debate feeling a little shortchanged Thursday, and wondering what would happen next.  Governor Brewer said it would be a good idea for the President to come down to Arizona and see the problem on the border with his own eyes.  To not come she said was disrespectful and insulting to Arizona residents, especially since he recently visited people affected by the Gulf oil spill.

Even supporters of Barack Obama and total immigration reform said the President could have gone farther yesterday by offering up some more detail about how he wants to change immigration policy, and whether he plans to grant amnesty to the more than 11 million illegal immigrants who already consider the United States home.

In any case there are five legal challenges pending against the state over SB1070 and another potential lawsuit coming from the US Department of Justice.

The real question is, whether a judge will grant a temporary injunction or allow the law to go into effect on July 29th.  Immigrant rights groups say they’re waiting to see and insist the hot spot in front of the Capitol building is likely to get a lot hotter with protests and rallys already being planned.

A lot of the controversies center around fear of the unknown, but in the case of the Staten Island convent being bought for use as a mosque, the concerns are founded on reports about the financial backer, the Muslim American Society.

According to the Investigative Project on Terrorism, the MAS is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, the fundamentalist organization that founded Hamas. And IPT says MAS is on a shopping spree buying up properties like the Staten island convent, but also taking over established mosques like the huge Dar Al Hijrah mosque in northern Virginia and the well-established Islamic Society of Boston.

Steve Emerson, IPT Executive director says “MAS is bent on acquiring as many mosques as possible. In order to spread its influence among the Muslim population as well as among the American population. Because if you control the mosques you are a constituent. And if you are a constituent you have leverage with your politicians.”

But, Ibrahim Ramey, MAS spokesperson adamantly denies any connection to Muslim Brotherhood or its agenda. Ramey says “We are not attempting to raise money to build mosques that then are used to harbor weapons or terrorist or other nefarious types of things. We simply want the right as American people as American citizens and residents, to worship freely, to organize our religious community and to enjoy the benefits of the first amendment of the constitution of the unites states of America.”

Heavy winds and surf had pushed additional tar balls ashore. Even after sunrise, crews were still hard at work cleaning the beach.

The images of cleanup crews and oil may seem in stark contrast to the carefree, seaside lifestyle of a resort inspired by the books and lyrics of music legend Jimmy Buffett. But Margaritaville’s director of marketing and brand management embraces the moment.

“I think it’s great that we came at this time because we want to be part of the recovery,” said Tamara Baldanza. “We want to be part of the Gulf Coast. We want to be part of Pensacola Beach. And I think there’s no better time to open up a Margaritaville than now.”

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(Pensacola Beach, FL)

Red flags fly over the white sands of Pensacola Beach, Florida to warn swimmers against venturing into the Gulf waters this afternoon. This time it’s not oil that’s the concern, but strong currents as a band of thundershowers moves through the area.

What oil does move ashore, work crews are quick to clean off the sand. And once the rough surf dies down, the red flags will likely disappear as well.

Nevertheless, local businesses say tourism has taken a significant hit as many regular visitors fear the potential impact the oil spill may have on their vacations. The Sunshine State is trying to counter these fears with an ad campaign, funded in large part with compensation from BP to reassure tourists that the Gulf Coast is still open for business.

One TV ad for VisitFlorida.com offers this perspective:

“Florida has 825 miles of beaches, 221 of them right here in Northwest Florida,” the narrator reads. “That’s a lot of beach to choose from. There are plenty of places in Florida where you can enjoy crystal clear waters and a great beach vacation.”

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“State police deal with the loss of one of their own. A trooper was found shot dead in his patrol car along the Garden State Parkway near Wall Township.

Oh, one more note on NJ Trooper story … they are not looking for any suspects or vehicles in their investigation. There will be more on this, with that tidbit.”

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“Three days and no word on the well being of a 16-month-old baby boy who’s in the hands of the gunman in Sacramento.  Police remain outside an apartment with guns and a SWAT team is all ready …  but, 25-year-old bank robbery suspect, Anthony Alvarez, has refused to come out and give himself up. We’re watching this unfold after police tried to serve a warrant on Alvarez Wednesday morning.”

“I couldn’t believe the video as it came in live …  a dude with a big gun and a 1-year-old hostage, firing from inside an apartment at police in Sacramento, CA.  I’m all over this from the Breaking News Desk …  more to come.  Oh, this is a guy Sacramento police describe as an attempted cop killer and armed robber.”

12:15 pm Update: “Okay, just learning that standoff in Sacrament began YESTERDAY …  and it’s has taken a scary turn.  Sacramento Sheriff’s deputies say the toddler taken hostage has not made a sound for hours.   They managed somehow to rescue a four year old child from the apartment where 25-year-old Anthony Alvarez is armed & dangerous.  It’s his cousin’s place …  don’t know if anyone else is held hostage.  But, that precious 1-year-old baby is in peril.”

Magnolia Springs Mayor Charlie Houser

Magnolia Springs, Alabama is a small town along a pristine river. Mail is delivered to many residents by boat. City officials are determined to prevent the BP oil spill from coming anywhere close, even if it means acting alone.

They’ve rented nine barges to block the mouth of an inlet off Mobile Bay, four miles from their town.

“We don’t want [oil] to get into Weeks Bay, which is a National Estuary, or the Magnolia River,” said Mayor Charles Houser. “So, rather than thinking about booming in Weeks Bay, we felt like it would be better to stop the oil before it ever gets in Weeks Bay.”

City officials said they started brainstorming their own plans to deal with the spill after seeing an email diagram of traditional boom BP and the federal government planned to deploy at the mouth of Weeks Bay.

“While boom is marginally effective, it’s not effective once the waves get over two or three feet, which it frequently does here,” Houser said. “So, our idea was, let’s take barges, line them up and block [the oil] completely.”

The barge project eventually got federal approval and partial funding. But Fire Chief Jamie Hinton said his city was prepared to act on its own to protect itself.

“If we don’t make a stand, if we wait on somebody to stand for us, we chance losing it like, bless Louisiana’s heart, they lost.”

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Rescuers wash oil from pelican.

As more oil moves ashore, animal rescuers have seen a sudden increase in their work load.

A temporary bird rescue facility near the Fort Jackson historic site on the Louisiana coast has treated more than 100 birds in the past three days — doubling the number of animals it has seen in the previous six weeks.

“We have to be very vigorous with these birds because the oil is very gooey,” said Jay Holcomb, executive director of the International Bird Rescue Research Center. “It takes a while to get off, takes about 45 minutes to an hour to wash one of these pelicans.”

Despite the hectic environment, Holcomb exemplifies grace under pressure and remains philosophical about the spill.

“We all filled up our car to get here today,” Holcomb said. “We all use [petroleum products]. We can blame BP for not doing this and they’re responsible for that. But we are all tied into it one way or the other. So, I think from a society viewpoint we need to all pitch in.”

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JERUSALEM — As hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists leave Israel and return to their home countries, international pressure is mounting on Israel to investigate Monday’s deadly raids on six Turkish ships traveling to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. The United States, in an effort to avoid an international investigation, which may be very hard on Israel, has reportedly proposed placing an American observer on an independent Israeli inquiry.

The American proposal, which calls for an independent commission, is aimed at both assuaging the international community’s concern for an open and transparent investigation, while at the same time limiting the possible damage to Israel’s image.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who Wednesday strongly defend the blockade of Gaza and Israel’s raid, is reportedly leaning against the American proposal. Israeli newspapers say the main obstacle to the idea is Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who flatly opposes any outside participation.

PM Netanyahu is also strongly resisting a United Nation’s backed inquiry.

“The demand for a UN investigation shows a clear double standard towards Israel,” an official in the Prime Minister’s office said. “It shows hypocrisy and singles out the Jewish State for special treatment.”

While Israeli politician’s debate the American plan, the international community is moving forward with an investigation. The United Nations Human Rights Council has decided to dispatch an international committee to investigation the raid.

I’m also always impressed with the rarity of complaints.

We’ve spent the past couple of weeks embedded with Marines with the 1^st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (1^st LAR) out of Camp Pendleton, CA.  We first met them in March during their live fire training at the 29 Palms Combat Training Center in the Mojave desert, but there are a number of Marines in this outfit who I actually met years ago, during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Major Jon Custis, Capt. John Bitonti, Capt. Jason Ford and several others were with the 3^rd LAR at the time.  Custis was the Captain of Alpha Company and my cameraman Christian Galdabini and I spent every day for weeks living out of his LAV-25 (a light armored vehicle with a 25 mm chain gun in the turret), one of the most fascinating, dangerous, rewarding and uncomfortable experiences of my life.

The fact that these men are now in Afghanistan, some on their third or fourth tours, is pretty amazing by itself, but they don’t see it that way.  It’s their job.  It’s what they do.  Many will tell you it’s the best job they’ve ever had and they can’t imagine doing anything else.

Not all, of course.  Some are short-timers, here for one tour, getting some much-needed discipline and real world experience, maybe earning a chance to go to college or learning a skill they can use when they get out.

Whether they’re in the Corps for 20 years or four, the men (and some women) out here perform their duties in some pretty challenging circumstances.

The quality of  life depends on whether you’re at a major base, a forward operating base, a combat outpost, or on patrol in the desert.

Yes, some Marines sleep on beds in air conditioned tents.  Some have intermittent A/C and sleep on cots or on the floor.  Some have no A/C despite temperatures that will reach 130 in about a month.  Some sleep in their vehicles or outside on the desert sand, where poisonous snakes are common (the Viper among them) and Camel Spiders the size of small dogs have been known to bite.

Food ranges from hot meals and salad bars with sodas and juice machines in chow halls on the larger bases to nothing but MRE’s (meals ready to eat) and bottled (hot) water .

Bathrooms can be as simple as a pipe in the sand and an outhouse-like structure or the closest sand dune and empty ammo box.

Showers have been built at most of the Combat Outposts but they’re not like your shower at home.

Internet and phones are available on some bases on a limited basis, for up to thirty minutes, but you may have to wait a while for access and only get it on certain days at certain times.

And still the Marines take it in stride.

They lose a man on patrol to a remote-detonated IED and after they assist with the airlift of the fallen they continue on their mission.  Who else is this dedicated to duty?

Imagine life with no ice or cold drinks in 115 degree heat.  Imagine not being able to take a shower for days, or wash your clothes or eat whatever you want.  Imagine risking your life every time you go to work and having to continue working after watching one of your buddies die.  Imagine doing this every day for seven or eight months, thousands of miles away from your wife, kids, friends, family, favorites stores, restaurants, bars, TV shows and sports teams.

Too often we all whine and complain about the little things.  Where’s the waiter?  Why is this beer not ice-cold?  Why is it taking more than four seconds for this Web site to open?

All of us should spend a little time in the shoes of our Armed Forces overseas.  That would result in a serious attitude adjustment and without question amplify the appreciation for what they’re doing out here every single day.

As I prepare to leave the 1^st LAR, I loudly and proudly say thank you to each and every one of them for what they do.  I hope everyone at home will too.

I should point out that folks in the domestic shrimp industry will say that there’s already a danger lurking in your seafood — if you buy shrimp that’s imported. They say imported shrimp might contain contaminants and additives. Check this out: http://louisianaseafood.com/the_hazards_of_imported_seafood. In fact, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal wrote a letter to the Food and Drug Administration asking them to investigate that possibility. Last year, Louisiana shrimp industry reps told me the industry was on its knees because of cheap imports. Now with the oil spill, predictions are even more dire. The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board says nearly a third of of all domestic seafood consumed in the US comes from off the coast of the Louisiana.

Last  week, Fox Producer Mario Biasetti and I explored two areas of Rome’s Coliseum under restoration and soon to be open to the public for the first time.

The underground level, referred to as a “monument within a monument” is paved with stone floors where centuries ago animals, slaves and gladiators prepared for battle. From there, a series of hand-pulled and hydraulic lifts raised them to the dusty arena above and their dismal fate.

Built by the Flavian emperors almost 2,000 years ago, the Coliseum is still structurally quite sound despite the fires, earthquakes, centuries of pillaging and more recently the corrosive effect of air pollution. In its prime it held up to 75,000 people.

Today it is Rome’s top tourist site, with almost 4 million visitors a year.

But it needs constant maintenance. Earlier this month three pieces of mortar fell from the ground level gallery.  The pieces were caught in a protective netting, injuring none. Air pollution is thought to be the culprit, changing the chemical composition of the mortar, causing chunks to fall off.

The third tier of the Coliseum – originally reserved  for the poor and freed slaves – will also be open to the public, hopefully by the end of July or early August, if all is on schedule.

The climb to the top is well worth the view. For a sneak peek at the renovations in the  underground area and the third tier, check out the video below.

We’ve been through several attempts to stop the oil spewing into the Gulf, now estimated to be flowing at a rate of 12-19,000 barrels each day. There was the “containment dome,” “top hat,” “top kill,” “junk shot” and now, the “lower marine riser cap” or LMRP. This latest plan would make a clean cut to the  line and add a cap to siphon “most” of the oil from the well. The White House says by cutting the line, the flow of oil might actually increase by 20%. But what choice do people in Louisiana have? It’s held breath and fingers crossed for another 4-7 days and prayers that this latest plan works. More and more, people are feeling that the “ultimate” solution of a relief well, being drilled to relieve pressure on the busted well, may in fact be the only solution. That fix is not expected be completed till August.

More and more I hear disgust and distrust — of both BP and the federal government.

I also hear anger. Louisiana generates more than its fair share of domestic energy by hosting a large part of domestic oil production just off its fragile coastline. There’s also the infrastructure that brings that oil onshore and ultimately to gas stations across the country. Louisianans grouse that East Coasters who wouldn’t dream of having oil rigs off their pristine beaches still manage to fill up their SUVs regularly. And now that Louisiana is suffering- well, that’s just too bad. In short, folks here feel abandoned. Again.

Q: Tell me a little about what you’ve been working on with our troops since we caught up with you last year?

A: I’ve been incredibly busy this year and it seems to get busier every year. Last year, the Lt. Dan Band and I did multiple concerts for the troops with various Military organizations. I got to secure a few days off from CSI NY around thanksgiving and we played 3 concerts in Iraq. We went on two overseas trips for the troops plus various other concerts all around. I visited the Army Medical Center, Walter Reed and been all over on several occasions. It’s been a busy year and each year I kind of say that maybe I should try to slow down a bit. I’ve been involved with so many different organizations each year and I want to continue to visit each one of them each year. The war goes on and the troops and their families still need us so I want to try to do what I can.

Q: In your conversations with our troops, what have they shared with you about their experiences and how they feel?

A: Yea, I always hear different stories. My nephew is with the 82nd Airborne Division over in Afghanistan near Kandahar and due to come back in August. That’s a pretty serious area over there. Now that I’ve been doing this for so long, and been so many places and been on TV talking about it so I meet people all the time. Some families will come up to me who has a son or daughter in the service overseas and they want to tell me their own family stories. A lot of people are out there very, very busy defending our country and we don’t want to ever forget them.

Q: How do you feel your work overseas has affected you on a personal and perhaps a professional level?

A: Yea I’ve made what have become just very valued and personal friendships with many who serve our country and I have stayed in touch with certain folks. I meet so many and of course I can’t stay in touch with everybody, but I‘ve made some very good friendships with various folks and I see them when I can. I’m going to see a couple this weekend, one was in Korea and one was in Afghanistan and now they both happen to be stationed in D.C. so that should be a great time. I’ve stayed in touch with lots of wounded soldiers over the years. Some of my most valued pals that I’ve met since 9/11 are buddies from the FDNY that have retired since then and have kept active with the FDNY. I am very grateful for all my pals.

Q: The Lt. Dan band – give our viewers an update. Any shows or events coming up soon?

A: We’ve been busy this month with 8 shows. Since I’m on TV, doing charity work with the band is my part time. July 4th we are going overseas playing on for the fifth time. Then, we’ll be back in Germany to do a concert and about a week later we’ll play in Naples, Italy. It’s just a 2 show tour this summer, but every summer for the past 8 years I’ve taken the band somewhere for the troops. Last year, we did 40 concerts and about 30 of them were either USO or Military charities. I love doing it and it’s a good feeling to be able to pitch in and do something positive.

Q: What are your plans for this Memorial Day?

A: This Memorial Day, I’m co-hosting the National Memorial Day Concert with Joe Mantegna that is broadcast on PBS at 8p et. It’s LIVE from D.C. right in front of the capital filled with music and special guests. There’s usually about 200,000 people sitting on the lawn in front of the capital. It’s a great way to take a minute out on Memorial Day to remember those who sacrifice for us. Memorial Day for many is just a BBQ or a ballgame, but it really is a significant holiday and it’s there for a reason. It’s my pleasure to take a moment out for those who do this for us.

Q: This Memorial Day, what do you want to say to all of the men and women serving our country at home and overseas?

A: I’m very very grateful that we have men and women willing to serve our country especially in such a dangerous and difficult time. I know how hard they work and how difficult these deployments are on them and their families. I want them to know from me that that service and sacrifice is not taken for granted and I appreciate the freedom that I have and I know where it came from and it’s from our defenders who ensure that we all can go about our daily lives with safety and security.

In the mean time, we’re finding out more about just how much oil is escaping into the Gulf each day. Initial estimates had it at 5000 barrels a day. The US Geological Survey, which has independent teams studying both aerial and underwater images, says it’s more like two to three times that—12,000 to 19,000 barrels a day.

President Obama is scheduled to address the matter today. Additionally, he’s visiting the Louisiana coast to get a firsthand look tomorrow.

The controversy started Tuesday afternoon when Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass) announced that BP had informed his office that “the live feed would be terminated some time early Wednesday morning, and would continue to be offline until after the attempt at the so-called ‘top kill’ is completed.’”

Markey, who has been a strong critic of BP’s handling of the oil spill, called the decision to terminate the video feed “outrageous.”

“After more than a month of spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, BP is essentially saying to the American people the solution will not be televised,” Markey said in a press release.

On the company’s official Twitter site, BP responded:

“The matter of whether or not we can maintain a live feed during the ‘top kill’ procedure is under review and a decision has not been made.”

By early evening, BP deleted that tweet and replaced it with:

“BP will continue to provide live video feeds from the seabed throughout the planned ‘top kill’ procedure.”

Shortly after the announcement, Rep. Markey issued the following statement:

“BP made the right decision to allow the public to see this potentially historical event for themselves. The hopes of millions of Americans rest on this effort, and the world deserves a first-hand view of the top kill attempt.”

The top kill procedure, which involves plugging the leaking well with heavy drilling mud, was tentatively scheduled to begin this morning. However BP says it’s still conducting tests to determine whether the procedure will work under the extreme conditions of the well’s location 5,000 feet below the surface.

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Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser greets EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson during her visit to the Louisiana coast.

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked BP to reduce the amount of chemical dispersants it’s using to break up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The oil company has used a record 815 thousand gallons of dispersant so far — 700 thousand gallons on the surface and 115 thousand gallons subsea.

Initial tests have raised no red flags concerning levels of toxicity and dissolved oxygen near the site of underwater spraying. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the effectiveness of subsea dispersant right at the source of the leak should allow BP to significantly reduce its use of dispersant on the surface, where much larger quantities are needed.

“I think we should see a 50 to 75, maybe 80 percent reduction in the amount of dispersant used while we continue to do these tests over the next days,” Jackson said.

Concerned about the unprecedented amounts of dispersant in use, the EPA issued a directive last week instructing BP to seek less toxic alternatives. But the oil company responded that other chemicals had either not been tested on deep water spills or weren’t available in the quantities needed.

Jackson said she was unsatisfied with BP’s answer.

“We need to ask ourselves if there’s not a better product out there, and BP seems to spend a lot of time saying why everything else didn’t work — but they really didn’t give me a feeling of comfort that they were asking honest questions,” Jackson said. “The answer that we got back from BP to me seemed more like a defense of their current choice, reminding me a little bit of that old commercial: ‘I’d rather fight than quit.’”

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