minimal. he called it very, very modest. tell that son of a [no audio] to get on a plane and take a look at what we ve got in our backyard. reporter: louisiana governor bobby jindal toured the area today. he s pushing for permits to build protective sand berms and running up against golf governmental red tape. this is the day everybody was worried about. that day is here. reporter: the crude s carnage could extend well beyond louisiana s marshes, satellite images and noaa confirm a long tendril of light oil has now entered the powerful loop current. it could start washing up in the florida keys in a week, maybe two. as we were obviously splattered by oil today, b.p. actually had another small success to report. that pipe that is connected to the leak on the sea floor is now bringing up more oil to the surface. b.p. says about 3,000 barrels a day. katie? couric: kelly cobiella in venice, louisiana. kelly, thank you. as we heard, b.p. may be having some success but no
washing up in the marshes near the mouth of the mississippi river and government scientists say a small portion has reached the so-called loop current which could take it to florida and up the east coast. kelly cobiella has the latest tonight from venice, louisiana. this is devastating. reporter: this is louisiana s nightmare: heavy black oil killing the grasses that make up these vital marshes. this is the monster that we re fighting. it s like a serial killer. it s just tough to track. reporter: p.j. hahn is the director of coastal management for plaquemines parish. he s seen the oil pop up virtually overnight in pockets like this. we have a whole series of booms booms that come out here off the barrier islands. how s it getting in here? it s coming out under the booms. reporter: the oil in the marsh is thick, it s black, it almost feels like molasses in your hands. it sticks. it s been in this marsh for only about 24 hours, it s already made its way all the thr