The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will continue to work for the next several days on a potential fuel spill into the Popo Agie River in downtown Lander.
On Tuesday, a citizen called Lander Fire to report seeing a substance believed to be gasoline in the river and smelling fumes. Lander Fire and the DEQ confirmed locating a “refined product, like gasoline” in the river. Wyoming DEQ Public Information Officer Keith Guille explained to us that they placed booms and skimmers to prevent any of the substance from spreading further down stream. They took several samples from various spots on the water as well.
On Saturday, April 6th DEQ and EPA members working on the scene told County 10 that they had believed at this point the leak had been “mainly contained.” However, one member of the DEQ told us that it could take “up to months” to fully understand what is causing the leak and where exactly it’s coming from.
While many believed the most likely source was the nearby Maverik gas station, the root of the source still hasn’t been officially confirmed.
The Maverik gas station was temporarily closed during the investigation, but given the go-ahead to re-open on Friday. Some pumps and parking spaces closest to the river remain closed at this time while crews continue to work.
The Barney bridge and pathway also remain closed to pedestrians as of Saturday.
County 10 spoke with several citizens who were especially concerned with the spill, telling us they felt bad for any wildlife affected and were concerned with drinking water. One Lander college student explained that he hadn’t heard of the fuel leak, and one man we spoke with expressed that he was sure the crews would handle it properly and wasn’t “overly concerned.”
A woman County 10 spoke with told us that she had, “stocked up on bottled water just in case.”
An employee at Lander grocery store Mr. D’s told us that he had, “for sure seen an increase in bottled water sales” over the last few days, but that they still had plenty available. An employee at Safeway said they hadn’t necessarily seen more sold than usual.
To reemphasize, the City of Lander reports there are no issues with the drinking water and they are monitoring it constantly.
The EPA has created a website for the fuel leak and you can follow along with any new updates and warnings by clicking here.
