Orange Beach, AL – BP says it plans to start deep-cleaning Alabama's beaches next week.
Company spokesman Ray Melick said Monday the process will begin as soon as a weekend of concerts and boat races wraps up in Baldwin County. Melick says the company doesn't want to interfere with the tourist season.
The process includes moving heavy tractor equipment along the shoreline, where oil could be located and removed from as deep as 24 inches below the surface.
A pair of free concerts, by Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley, is planned for this weekend in Gulf Shores, along with the powerboat races Thunder on the Gulf.
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon says he asked BP to start the process after Labor Day in order to ensure that the beaches are clean by Jan. 1.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)