Buc-ee’s expansion sparks backlash over traffic, environment

Texas’ wildly popular gas station-convenience store-tourist destination Buc-ee’s plans to open new locations across the country as early as 2031. The massive travel centers have passionate fans who rave about their convenience, rows of gas pumps, cleanliness, fresh in-store food and Beaver-themed treats.

A Buc-ee’s can also provide a community with hundreds of jobs, generate millions of dollars in revenue, and bring in thousands more visitors each day who may stick around to browse local entertainment venues and shops.

But not everyone is happy with Buc-ee’s mark up.

Ahead of the proposed 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s off Interstate 75 in Port Charlotte, Florida, some residents expressed concerns about the increased traffic it would bring to the area. The chosen location is also “entirely within the coastal high hazard area and floodplain”. locals told Gulf Coast Newsand could disturb endangered fish in a nearby nursery.

Plans for another Florida location – St. A 76,245 square foot property in St. Lucie County – had to be resent After addressing environmental concerns about potential impacts on wildlife, including migratory birds and sea turtle hatchlings. The county commission also had to approve a variance in local zoning regulations to allow Buc-ee’s iconic 100-foot sign to appear alongside the highway.

Buc-ee’s nationwide protests

at Palmer Lake in Colorado, An old school bus with a “Stop Buc-ee” banner He traveled throughout northern El Paso County to discuss a potential location in the area following local protests at a December town meeting.

Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar told KRDO in February that the project was still in its early stages, with the city awaiting the results of multiple studies on traffic and water use. Various residents and non-profit organizations sued the city Trying to thwart plans.

Buc-ee’s withdrew its request in March. Chron reportedciting a “technical problem”.

in Springfield, Missouri, Protesters march against municipal incentives for a new Buc-ee’s This includes $9.2 million to be paid to the company over 20 years for necessary infrastructure improvements.

Residents of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit in April to block the city from rezoning the land. a recommended Buc-ee’s There. A. “Raise the Beave” fundraiser He said runoff from a new Buc-ee’s would impact local groundwater and the nearby Root River and could endanger a nearby horse farm. case dismissed.

Critics of a proposed 74,000-square-foot site in Stafford, Virginia, cited an estimated increase of more than 20,000 vehicles per day, noise, light pollution and reduced air quality. Stafford County Board of Supervisors approved the plans On May 20.

Why don’t people want Buc-ee’s?

Common complaints about potential travel centers of more than 70,000 square meters, each with more than 100 gas pumps, are increased traffic, environmental impact and cost.

• increased traffic

  • Buc-ee’s attracts thousands of drivers each day, significantly increasing traffic in the area. Development often includes widened or new roads and additional traffic lights.

• environmental impact

  • “Buc-ee’s will consume more than 10 million gallons of our precious water this year.” stopbuceespalmerlake.com The website said most went to non-resident travelers.

  • Each Buc-ee’s stores hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil and other hazardous chemicals underground with 100-120 gas pumps, increasing the likelihood of contamination of the local soil and water table.

  • Emissions from the thousands of vehicles that visit Buc-ee’s each day can impact local residents.

  • Buc-ee’s developments could disrupt local wildlife and endangered species due to light pollution, noise, traffic and chemical runoff.

• local income

  • Buc-ee’s often gets big tax breaks from local municipalities to encourage coming there and can negotiate “capital incentives” to pay for improvements.

  • Buc-ee’s often offers gas at lower prices, which can hurt local gas stations that don’t have the same purchasing power. Local mom and pop stores may not be able to compete either.

  • Buc-ee’s offers highly competitive wages and salaries, but its employee satisfaction rate is Indeed.com Only 2.5 out of 5. Florida employee “At first glance, this job may seem attractive because of the pay and benefits, but don’t be fooled. The paranoia of employees here is so high that it defines the culture.”

Buc-ee’s has also had some trouble recently with dozens of locations get an “F” grade From the Better Business Bureau’s website.

On May 26, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against the company after a location in Bastrop, Texas forcing the disabled cashier to stand constantly and fired him when he failed to return to work.

As plans move forward in many states, local officials and residents will continue to weigh the benefits of new jobs and incomes against the potential pressure on infrastructure and the environment.

CA Bridges is a journalist on USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content delivered straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up for our free newsletter. Florida TODAY.

This article first appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Buc-ee’s expansion raises concerns about traffic, water and wildlife