Cook Springs resident urges county action over Dollar General site, citing wetlands, septic and tunnel safety

Nancy Fincher, a Cook Springs resident, told the St. Clair County Commission at its May 21 work session that clearing and fill activity at a nearly‑complete Dollar General near Mountain Top Loop Road and U.S. Highway 78 had proceeded without proper federal authorization and later drew federal scrutiny. She said the Broadway Group LLC and KME Development LLC purchased about 1.6 acres and that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records show federally regulated wetlands and flood‑plain adjacency. She said the developer filed a request with the Corps to retain after‑the‑fact fill and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency alleged violations of the Clean Water Act; a consent agreement dated March 5, 2024, allowed the developer to retain fill after paying civil penalties, mitigation costs and permitting fees, according to Fincher.

Fincher also said the site has an on‑site small‑flow septic permit (permit no. 33839, issued Jan. 8) for a pumped system that requires ongoing maintenance, and she questioned who will be responsible if the system fails. "Systems of this type require constant maintenance and regular servicing to avoid pump failures, clogs, backups, and sewage discharge problems," she said. Fincher urged the county to obtain public records she requested under the Alabama Public Records Act and to scrutinize flood‑plain permitting and health‑department approvals.

On traffic and safety, Fincher told commissioners that drivers traveling from I‑20 exit 152 will likely use Cook Springs Road and a one‑lane railroad tunnel with poor sight lines, and she asked the commission to direct an immediate engineering and safety assessment of that tunnel area. She suggested measures including flashing warning lights, stop controls or mirrors and speed‑reducing measures, and asked the county to step up litter removal around exit 152.

Commissioners responded that many permits and regulatory responsibilities lie with state or federal agencies (the state health department and ADEM were named in the discussion), but they committed to gather records, have the county attorney review the permitting timeline, and examine what the county may lawfully require or recommend. County staff said the developer did consult engineers and that some post‑construction permitting and enforcement have been handled by federal and state agencies.

The commission did not take formal action during the work session; staff and the county attorney were asked to compile the county's records, confirm permitting and flood‑plain steps, and report back for potential agenda consideration at the next regular meeting.