On June 11, 2010 a group of elementary school students, volunteers, and Friends Group members arrived at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/bonsecour/) to plant sea oats on a newly constructed dune. The project's importance couldnt've been made any more clear -- during the planting, thick oil began washing a few hundred feet down the shore. For more information on the oil spill, visit http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/

The Bon Secour NWR in Alabama contains 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. The refuge was established by Congress in 1980 to preserve the coastal dune ecosystem, to protect threatened and endangered species, to provide compatible recreational opportunities, and to serve as a living laboratory for students and scientists.
The Wildlife Reserve has a five mile long shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico.

I was there a few years ago doing Prescribed Fire duties and again two weeks ago. If you have ever heard of the Battle of Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan, this is exactly where the battle took place. They have always been VERY strict on who comes and goes through this area. Beachcombers and metal detectors are not allowed and many of the areas are fenced off with signs saying No Trespassing . The sand dunes and dune habitats for many different species reside here. Even walking through these dunes causes damage to the fragile Eco System and wildlife.
Blocking public access has always been in place, not just since the Oil Spill.
It has been this way since 1980 here, and almost all National Wildlife Refuges in the Nation.