Trying to make sanctuaries as an alternative to oil-contaminated natural ones

Feds, farmers create habitats for migrating birds: Goal is to create 150,000 acres of manmade wetlands by Aug. 15

Water gurgling from a well is flooding Craig Gautreaux's rice and crawfish fields, turning the farm into a wetland for migratory birds whose usual Gulf of Mexico wintering grounds are threatened by the oil spill.

Across eight states, farmers such as Gautreaux are inundating fallow fields to provide an alternative for some of the tens of millions of ducks, geese and shorebirds that are beginning to make their way south on a flyway that stretches as far north as Alaska and Iceland.

"Hopefully, we can help," said Gautreaux, who has dedicated 762 acres (more than 300 hectares) about 90 miles (145 kilometers) inland from the Gulf to the project under a three-year, $132,441 contract that likely will cover his costs but provide little if any profit. "I want to keep the birds around."

The tab for the project is $20 million, paid by the federal government. Frankly, I think BP should eventually foot the bill. Of course, I wouldn't be adverse to BP going bankrupt due to this disaster, but I want them to pay for the oil spill first.