What the media didn’t say as they covered Joe Biden’s shopping trip to D.C.’s first Costco, which opened on Thursday. Via the Washington Post earlier this year:

While many have focused on the economic benefits of the project, some have expressed concerns about the environmental impact.

Fort Lincoln, site of a Civil War fort, is in one of the city’s choicest natural settings. Despite its proximity to Route 50, the neighborhood is nestled along grassy hillsides, and residents speak fondly of the area’s deer and birds.

Concerns about the loss of valuable wetlands stalled the project for five years as developers negotiated with various agencies. As part of an agreement with the D.C. Department of the Environment, developers will build 1.83 acres of new wetlands on the site to replace the 0.90 acre that will be destroyed.

The developers believe that’s a fair trade-off, but others have their doubts.

“Trying to build new wetlands to replace stuff that’s been there, it’s always a risky move,” said Mike Bolinder of Anacostia Riverkeeper. “We can try to build wetlands, but we have no idea how the water will interact with the earth.”

Others have criticized the planned 2,000-space parking lot, saying the project should be more transit-friendly. The neighborhood is accessible by bus but is not near a Metro station.