Status Update and Review
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to review the “then and now” of Green Ridge’s (County Waste / GFL) proposed multi-state mega dump journey thus far…
2018; June 1st 2018 – The proposed multi-state mega-dump presented to citizens August 2nd 2018 – Host Agreement Signed by the Board of Supervisors, approved in a mere 35 days, an unprecedented rate of speed and possibly by design
2019: July 14, 2019 – Host Agreement Changed April and October, 2019 – County personnel resignations occur December 2019 – the proposed site reduces the size of what was originally proposed. Please note that the height of the site may compensate for the acreage width change.
2020: January 2020 – New Cumberland County BOS begins service; Legislation gets involved by presenting Senate Bill 1761 and House Bill 1038 to General Assembly; County Waste sold to GFL Environmental Inc., a Canada – based company Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL) submits NOI and Application A to DEQ March 2020 – DEQ sends comment letter to Mr. Jerry Cifor with Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL) April 2020 – CCLA requests DEQ to hold process; their response is here; CCLA submitted a letter to DEQ stating inappropriateness of site (their response is here); Mr. Jerry Cifor with Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL) responds to DEQ’s request letter July 2020 – DEQ states that Green Ridge’s NOI is administratively incomplete; Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL)’s Demographics Report Press Release including Powhatan; Farmville Herald covers story; DEQ’s NOI Completeness Review #2 sent to Mr. Jerry Cifor of Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL) August 2020 DEQ’s NOI Completeness Review #3 sent to Mr. Jerry Cifor of Green Ridge (County Waste/GFL); GFL Environmental, the company that purchased County Waste, is “…described as ‘one of the greatest unprosecuted frauds in Canadian business history’” in the Spruce Point Capital Management article found here and written in Farmville Herald here; … That brings us here: to September 2020 Senator Hashmi spoke at CCLA’s September Community Townhall Meeting, sharing the four pronged plan of attack in protecting Virginia’s environment, you can read more about here; Robert “JR” Gurley, writes about Environmental Racism in Richmond Times Dispatch
Whew – I know right! And that’s not all of it. That is mainly DEQ and Green Ridge review. Regardless, here we are now, roughly 2 years and 4 months later. We are humbled and happy to say that no ground has been broken and the earth, plants, animals, air, water, and quiet way of life remains. Praying that will stay the situation and be very thankful for everybody’s work, support, prayers, time, energy, and donations.
What can we do now?
There are many ways you can get involved and many things you can do, it all depends on how you’d like to help the cause. Below are a few suggestions:
Letter Writing – a letter costs 50 cents to mail and roughly 10 to 15 minutes to write and carries so much impact, more than you may think! Firstly, write to the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors and let them know that the proposed mega-dump is not wanted or needed and ask them how we can help. A letter, email, phone call would do just fine. DEQ will reach out to the county and ask a count of people contacting them in opposition of the landfill – we need to have numbers to represent opposition. Also, our Governor needs to hear from us as well as VDOT, DEQ, Delegates and Senators. Now is the time for action; most of the time silence is taken as acceptance. Remember, 50 cents and 15 minutes will save our quality of life and stop the proposed mega-dump. It is ultimately up to you. We will gain more traction and influence when everyone against the landfill writes one letter or E-mail to the US Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Cumberland County Board of Supervisors. We’ll be happy to help if needed. Reach out to us at NoMegaLandfill@LoveCentralVA.com or 804.308.5748 and we’ll provide you the information needed.
Join CCLA – as a citizen and supporter, you are already a member of CCLA! However, if you would like to help CCLA’s Leadership Team and/or Fund-Raising team, The Eager Beavers, or assist with research – we need you.
3rd Annual BBQ
Our first BBQ was held October 2018 (link) and here we are…hosting our 3rd Annual BBQ!
Now that we are entering the crucial time in our fight in stopping the proposed mega landfill, it is anticipated our legal fees will increase and it will be necessary to hire outside specialists to assist us. We need donations to continue, especially since we have not been able to have any fundraisers due to COVID 19.
Please support our efforts while getting some delicious BBQ!
· Show up on October 18th from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the EZ Go (corner of Routes 45 and 60) to purchase onsite
· Pre-order on or before October 5th
· Spread the word – tell friends, post on facebook, email, etc.
Also, be aware that it is simple to make a donation online here or at the GoFundMe page here. If you prefer to send a check – make it payable to LoveCentralVA and mail it to us at CCLA, P.O. Box 238, Cumberland, VA 23027. Keep in mind we still have yard signs and t-shirts for sale!
