Tar balls reach Texas beaches

GALVESTON, Texas (AP/KXAN) - A top Texas official says tar balls from the Gulf oil spill have been found on state beaches.

It's the first known evidence that gushing crude from the Deepwater Horizon well has now reached all the Gulf states.

Tar balls found on Crystal Beach near Galveston on Saturday were tested and are linked to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Test results on tar balls found Sunday have not yet been released.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson says two crews are removing tar balls found on the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island on Sunday.

Patterson says the discovery shows that the state's models of the oil's spread are accurate. He said all the oil will be cleaned and paid for by BP.

An initial response team is being set up by the Coast Guard, General Land Office, and City of Galveston. 

A contractor is on standby to clean up additional tar balls if they are found along Texas beaches. 

The beaches and waterways remain open and no tar balls were found on Monday. 

While the tar balls tested are linked to the gulf oil spill, officials reported that tar balls do surface on occasion on beaches in this area.