Paulsen tours Gulf oil spill

Rep. Erik Paulsen spent the final weekend of his Congressional recess touring damage from the Gulf Coast oil spill.

Paulsen said the smell from the oil is what stuck with him as he surveyed the marshlands that were soaked with oil following the 87-daylong BP oil spill that began in April.

"I'll just never forget the scent," Paulsen said. "We got out there quite a ways, several miles. Then when we saw the main polluted area, we stopped the boat, and right away you could smell it."

Paulsen went on this trip with his housemate in Washington, Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise. The daylong trip included a boat tour of the coast and meetings with local officials in Plaquemines Parish, La., about an hour southeast of New Orleans.

The Minnesota Republican said the damage to the marshlands looked like a fire had gone through them as a result of the oil.

He said that locals involved in the cleanup effort had been resilient, but they are also frustrated at times coordinating with federal officials. Most of all, Paulsen said, residents in Louisiana want to make sure BP is on the hook for the cost of the cleanup.

Paulsen said he would sign onto legislation originating in the Louisiana congressional delegation requiring money from the environmental fines BP racks up to go specifically toward repairing damage in the Gulf.