Wal-Mart Submits Proposed Schedule for Store

By Jill Moon, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.

Dec. 3–GODFREY — Companies associated with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. intend to get the Supercenter under way in January, but regulatory agencies still are reviewing its applications.

BRR Construction notified village officials that it wants to submit the store’s construction documents in January, start construction in summer 2008 and open in spring 2009, said Godfrey Building and Zoning Administrator Bruce Wickenhauser.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are reviewing applications for permits processed under Section 401 and Section 404, respectively, of the Clean Water Act.

The corps still is in the process of reviewing its environmental assessment of Wal-Mart’s plans and comments made during the public comment period, May 8 through 29, designated by the corps.

The public notice also provided documentation to the IEPA for water quality certification, or waiver thereof, for the proposed activity in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Certification or waiver indicates that IEPA believes the activity will not violate applicable water quality standards.

Wal-Mart’s application to the IEPA still is under review, and the agency requested additional information that it expects to receive soon, IEPA spokeswoman Maggie Carson said.

IEPA’s decision will influence the corps’ decision.

“Part of our decision is if the state grants the 401 permit,” corps spokesman George Stringham said.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. seeks authorization to fill approximately 1,550 lineal feet of two unnamed tributaries to facilitate grading for the commercial development of a new Wal-Mart Supercenter, a commercial building with small retail shops and several out-lots.

Wal-Mart proposes to mitigate, or lessen its impact, on site by relocating approximately 660 lineal feet of tributary and establishing a riparian buffer along both banks, and enhancing the riparian corridor along both banks of the tributary in the southwestern corner of the property.

The unnamed tributaries flow into Rocky Fork Creek, which drains into Piasa Creek, a primary tributary of the Mississippi River.

The corps is working with Wal-Mart through its engineering firm, Cochran Engineering.

“When someone applies for a permit of this type, we evaluate what are alternatives, and do we really have to disturb this stream, and if so, how can we minimize it?” Stringham said. “That’s where the mitigation part comes in. In this case, there’s 1,550 lineal feet, and that’s where we are now. Everything is still in discussions, and we’re still looking at alternatives.”

Stringham said the tributaries are dry much of the time but serve as drainage when it rains.

He would not speculate as to when the review will be finished and when, or if, a permit would be issued.

—–

To see more of The Telegraph or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thetelegraph.com/.

Copyright (c) 2007, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:WMT,