Gasoline is spilling into the Popo Agie River in Lander. A citizen reported it to the National Response Center last week. The action prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to investigate what happened.
Keith Guille, DEQ spokesman, said the situation is urgent, and "that's why we have staff out there to make sure that we find some conclusions here very quickly to ensure that wherever the spill leak is coming from they get stopped and that everything can move forward here."
Guille said the spill began near the Maverick Gas Station, but that it's underground storage tank technology was double layered, up to date, and did not appear to show signs of leakage. He said the two agencies continue to investigate the source of the leak.
DEQ and EPA have set up barriers, or booms, to keep the gas from flowing further downstream. Guille said additional staff has been on hand in Lander to do extra inspections. He said the community should stay away from the spill area, and that there's no risk to drinking water.