We are Russell County Citizens Who Stand Against the Proposed Moss 3 Mega Landfill in Cleveland Virginia. A privately owned landfill has been proposed to be located at the old Moss 3 mining site in Cleveland district (Clinchfield) which was the site of the Pittston Coal Strike. The property is privately owned by Russell County Reclamation (John Matney with interest also held by Clyde Stacy). This proposed landfill would accept out of state trash, up to six thousands tons per day, via train and truck. (12,000,000 pounds per day to start). Our local Russell County Board of Supervisors have hired and paid for an environmental consultant (David Paylor – previous VA DEQ director) and Gentry Locke attorney. This means that serious consideration is being given to this landfill.
It is crucial for us all to stand together against this potential environmental disaster that could forever scar our beautiful landscape. We must protect not only ourselves, but also future generations from these devastating and detrimental effects. Our rivers, streams, and natural landscapes are not just resources; they are an integral part of who we are as a community. They provide us with clean water, recreational opportunities, and support local wildlife habitats. A private landfill would pose an imminent threat to these precious resources that we hold dear.
"Virginia has the largest concentration of private mega-landfills in the country that service local communities as well as New York, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and other areas," per Bob Gardner, senior vice president at SCS Engineers. According to studies conducted by renowned environmental organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills can contaminate groundwater sources through leachate – toxic liquids produced by decomposing waste materials. This contamination can lead to serious health issues for both humans and wildlife alike (see our Research link).
Furthermore, landfills emit harmful gases such as methane into the atmosphere. By allowing a private mega landfill in our county, we would be jeopardizing future generations' well-being. The health of ourselves and our children can be adversely affected by simply living near a landfill or even near trains and trucks that travel to that landfill.
