VIDEO: Conservation Commission Asks Walmart Engineers to Respect Seekonk Wildlife

Walmart won't get to touch Seekonk's vernal pools, if the Seekonk Conservation Commission has anything to say about it.

During the June 13 commission meeting, engineers from Bohler Engineering presented plans to . The 156,000-square-foot box store would be built on seven acres of land that currently houses  and miniature golf course, the Sherwood Ultra Sports fitness center and an abandoned driving range. 

According to engineers, the existing Route 6 Walmart would be put up for sale right in time for the new store to open its doors to shoppers.

"It should be a smooth transition," said John Kucich of Bohler Engineering. 

The supercenter would have a gardening center, two large parking lots containing 625 spaces, two driveways and a waste water treatment station for sewage disposal. A water infiltration system would ensure storm water runoff would not drain into the roads. 

According to the engineers, two schemas were created. But, one plan would have less of an impact on the abutting neighborhoods. In order to present the more ideal plan to the Seekonk planning and zoning boards, a variance is needed from the conservation commission to allow construction within a 100-foot buffer zone that protects a vernal pool. The seasonal water source is a product of the area's water table. It contains fairy shrimp, a highly resilient species that can withstand intense temperature flux. Storm water runoff from the store would eventually make its way into the pool.

Dennis Lowry, senior program manager at AECOM and a wetland ecologist, told members building encroachment near the pool would not adversly affect the shrimp. But conservation members were still concerned an intrusion would negatively impact other species who use the area. According to members, the conservation commission has never allowed a variance to build within a vernal pool buffer zone under the Wetlands Protection Act. Residents also said bullfrogs, hummingbirds and other mammals used the pool for their habitat.

In addition to concerns for local wildlife, some residents were not happy that the box store could potentially create trash and noise pollution.

"The border isn't some magical area," said one resident, noting old tires and trash litters the exterior parameters of the existing Walmart.

When asked if the store could be redesigned to utilize less space to reduce impacts on the landscape and create more of a buffer for neighbors, the engineers said a smaller plan wouldn't be ideal.

"It wouldn't be good for Walmart. That's the answer," said Lee Dunn, a Seekonk Planning Board member.

Commission members told the audience that if they were concerned with Walmart's plans, they should attend upcoming planning and zoning board meetings, which have not been scheduled as of yet.

"It's our job to make sure they're following environmental guidelines," said one member.

After much discussion over the importance of vernal pool protection, members decided to continue the hearing until the July 11 meeting.