THE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT

THE IMPACT ON OUR ENVIRONMENT

The Mattawoman Creek runs just to the south of the proposed site of the Wal-Mart. It is one of the relatively few Maryland creeks which feature pristine environments, and is the source for one of the most productive bass fisheries where it meets the Potomac River.

The integrity of the Mattawoman watershed is already threatened by the Charles County development district (along Route 228), and by the housing proposed as part of the Mannokeek development.

Despite the developer's assurances, environmental experts feel that it will be difficult to maintain an adequate buffer zone to protect the Mattawoman from the impact of adding houses to the area.

This more intense development of the land will lead to increased use of chemical fertilizers, creating chemical runoff, with adverse consequences on the ecology on the Mattawoman area.

The huge parking lot for the proposed Wal-Mart would create a very large impermeable area along the Mattawoman, affecting the land’s ability to absorb water from major rain storms and melting snow; in addition, gas and oil runoff from the parking lot would be significant. The garden sales area of the proposed WalMart would also create runoff composed of fertilizers, weed and plant killers, and more.

These factors combine to lead to significant decreases in biodiversity.

The light and noise pollution from such a huge store open 18 to 24 hours seven days per week is also significant and will change the environment for the animal and plant community as well as the human residents!

Questions? Suggestions? New ideas? Email us at liveable210@radix.net.