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For Immediate Release
9/27/07
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Sen. Pippy, Rep. Mustio Comment on Wal-Mart/Kilbuck Announcement

Retailer will not develop site of Rt. 65 landslide incident.

 Moon Township – State Sen. John Pippy (R-37) and Rep. Mark Mustio (R-44) today said Wal-Mart Inc. made the right decision to abandon plans for building a store at a Kilbuck Township site where a landslide closed part of Route 65 last year.

The company announced Wednesday that it will not develop the property and will return the hillside to a pre-development, natural sloping condition that includes trees and vegetation.

“This is right decision. Last year’s incident showed that the site is not suitable for the development they had planned,” said Pippy. “The landslide was a major inconvenience that impacted a major artery, affecting businesses and residents. Wal-Mart made the right decision to move away from that location.”

Wal-Mart officials met with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday to discuss the pending submission of a revised stabilization plan for the site.

“The landslide should never have occurred, and it was good to see the community, elected leaders, DEP and the company launch discussions as to how to proceed. Those deliberations made it pretty clear that this development should not go forward,” said Mustio. “That area must be stabilized to ensure that Route 65 motorists do not have to endure another road-closing again.” 

CONTACTS:
Matt Campion [Office of Senator John Pippy] (412) 262-2260
Representative Mark Mustio (412) 262-3780