Iowa and Missouri Truck Stops Face Penalties for Clean Water Act Violations
Two truck stops in Iowa and Missouri agreed to pay over $390,000 for alleged violations of federal regulations.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jan 08, 2025
Two major truck stops in Iowa and Missouri will pay a combined $390,784 in penalties after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified alleged violations of the Clean Water Act.
According to a recent release, the EPA found that Iowa 80—known as “the world’s largest truck stop”—and Joplin 44 failed to comply with federal regulations designed to protect waterways from petroleum discharges. Both truck stops are owned by Iowa 80 Group Inc.
Inspections conducted in 2023 revealed deficiencies in the truck stops’ Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans. These plans are required under the Clean Water Act for facilities storing 1,320 gallons or more of oil products.
SPCC plans are critical for preventing oil spills and minimizing environmental harm. They mandate measures such as adequate containment for spills, regular inspections of storage tanks and piping, and integrity testing of petroleum equipment.
“This settlement represents the federal government’s commitment to protecting our nation’s waterways and creating a level playing field for businesses who are complying with the law,” David Cozad, EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division Director, said in a statement.
Following the EPA’s findings, both truck stops updated their SPCC plans, conducted required tank inspections and completed necessary repairs to address compliance issues. The settlements—detailed in Consent Agreements and Final Orders—are open for a 30-day public comment period. The Consent Agreements for Iowa 80 and Joplin 44 are available online.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.