Last week, BP and five coastal states affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill announced $594 million in projects funded by BP for early restoration of the Gulf. A lot of the money is being spent on stuff not related to the spill at all, especially on repairing damage from various hurricanes.
As the second week of testimony begins in BP's civil trial for damages in the Gulf oil spill, a settlement is still possible. Once evidence is presented in earnest, though, lines harden and chances diminish.