By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
A representative of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management was in town Friday to investigate complaints of mud runoff from the Wal-Mart Supercenter construction site onto the property of adjacent landowner Earl Lambert.
Lambert told Brewton City Council members Tuesday that he is concerned about the silt runoff, which has muddied the pond on his property and that of a neighbor. Those ponds flow into King Branch - a state waterway that also makes its way to Murder Creek.
Lambert - who opposed Wal-Mart's construction on the site when the project was proposed - said he is not against a Supercenter but is concerned about the effects to his property.
Lambert told the council he would not take action against the city but would pursue action against the Wal-Mart project if the runoff continues.
Lambert said he hoped the city could learn a lesson from his troubles with the construction site. City Councilwoman Ann Marie Sasser agreed.
The ADEM representative who visited the site Friday is expected to make a report on her observations, but it is unknown whether ADEM will take further action on the issue.
The city council did not take any action after Lambert's comments Tuesday.
Wal-Mart broke ground on the site in December after a delay of several months. The store is expected to open by the end of the year.
Wal-Mart representatives could not be reached for comment.