Eric Hargett (Watershed Protection/Surface Water Quality Standards Coordinator with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality) informs spill officials that a team is enroute to Wheatland to collect baseline water samples from the Laramie River and Grayrocks Reservoir ahead of any potential exposure to crude oil. He indicates samples will be analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons (TRPH), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Mr. Hargett advises Unified Command that DEQ will coordinate sampling locations, access needs, and chain‑of‑custody procedures upon arrival and provide preliminary results as soon as laboratory processing allows. This is a Drill!
