South Dade Walmart Project Could Kill Endangered Species
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Federal officials have warned a developer who plans on building a Walmart on a tract of land in south Miami-Dade that the project would likely kill endangered species.
The 140-acre property near ZooMiami, which is considered one of the world's rarest forests, has endangered pine rocklandand about 200 species.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sent a strongly worded letter to Palm Beach County developer Ram Realty Services that the project could kill federally protected bats and butterflies, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
Wildlife officials are also planning to add three plants on the land to the endangered species list.
The developer has been told to apply for a federal permit or re-design the plans.
Ram Realty Services reportedly disputes the wildlife service's findings. Company Chairman Peter Cummings said he is working on a way to resolve the agency's concerns but declined to say whether he would change the design.
The property was sold by the University of Miami to Ram.
In addition to Walmart, an LA Fitness center, Chik-fil-A and Chili's restaurants along with about 400 apartments are also in the plans.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report.)
RELATED CONTENT:
