Recent Updates
News Flash - New Conditional Use Permit
CCLA received word late yesterday afternoon, Cumberland County has made public Green Ridge’s application for a new Conditional Use Permit. Please see the attached notice sent out by the County. Below the letter is a link to where you can view the documents, if you like.
We will keep you updated as we review the documents and/or find out more.
Thank you for your continued support!
Happy Holidays from CCLA!
We wish everyone a joyful, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Just a few brief notes during this busy time:
CCLA Meeting – December 1, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Cumberland Community Center. There will be a brief meeting followed by refreshments and socialization. Please note this is the first Sunday and not the second Sunday.
Cumberland County Board of Supervisors Meeting – Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Everyone is encouraged to attend, if possible. Let your voice be heard and let our supervisors know you care about what happens in the County. Please visit the County website for hours the offices will be open during this time, since they will not be operating under normal office hours.
Landfill Update - Green Ridge and affiliates submitted paperwork for a new Conditional Use Permit a few months back. It is our understanding the County staff is almost complete with their review and therefore, information in the request should be available to the public soon. Now is the time for us to unite and be proactive and not reactive to what may be presented to us. If you are interested in helping out, please contact us by sending an email or by calling 804-308-5748.
THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU
These words cannot be spoken often enough. It has been a long 6+ years since we first found out about the proposed landfill and our group was organized. Things could be looking a lot different if were not for your concern and support over this period of time. Thank you so much. We cannot give up, the landfill ISN’T A DONE DEAL. There will be new challenges for us to face in the coming year, but we are united and will face them as they come along.
Fall Fundraiser Results
A big Thank You for making the CCLA’s Fall Fundraiser a success – those who attended the event, those who gave donations and were unable to attend, and to the CCLA crew who worked so hard to prepare for the event. Everyone had a great time and there was plenty of food for all.
We do have some BBQ left and are offering it for sale for $5 for approximately 16 ounces – what a great buy for some tasty BBQ!
Just send an email to info@cclava.com or call 804-308-5748 and leave a message.
We certainly appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you soon at another event or meeting.
We must protect our environment!!!
Check out some photos from the event!
Happy Halloween! Quick Updates Inside
Two items to quickly pass along today.
1. A copy of CCLA’s filing of the complaint against Cumberland County Virginia is available under the About CCLA – What We’ve Done.
2. Only 2 days until our Fall Fundraiser at 235 Skaggs Road, Powhatan, VA. The event includes a meal, music by DJ, and much more. Advance tickets can be purchased by clicking here https://erg.t-g.cc/p/e7wt. Don’t have a ticket yet, don’t fear, you can purchase your ticket at the door. Hope to see you there.
Countdown to Fall Fundraiser!
You have 8 DAYS to purchase your tickets for an evening of food, music, and fellowship by clicking on this link!
Copy and paste this address if you have trouble with the button - https://erg.t-g.cc/p/e7wt
Come to our Fall Fundraiser! Details inside…
MORE DETAILS– advance purchase of tickets recommended and are available in person, social media at https://erg.t-g.cc/p/e7wt or on our website cclava.com.
$25 ticket includes meal with your choice of entrée (¼ rotisserie chicken/pork bbq/ or chicken bog [a Southern dish] coleslaw, baked beans, dessert, roll & drink.
Add’l entrees $5 ea.
Plus music, dancing, fellowship and other activities.
$30 ticket includes the meal and 8 raffle tickets. Otherwise raffle tickets $2 ea or 3 for $5.
Meals served from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Cash bar for beer, wine, & sodas.
Dessert auction – homemade cakes, pies, etc will be auctioned off.
NEWS FLASH - CCLA Files Lawsuit Against Cumberland County
CCLA has filed a lawsuit against Cumberland County concerning the proposed landfill. More information will be provided at the meeting on Sunday, October 13, 2024. The meeting will take place at the Cumberland County Community Center at 3 pm. Private wells will also be discussed as scheduled.
Thank each of you for your continued support.
October 2024 CCLA Updates and Events
There is a lot of different things happening at this time related to our endeavor to STOP the proposed Green Ridge landfill in Cumberland County.
First, I will address News Flash of August 15th where we addressed the development of a letter being sent to Green Ridge by the Board of Supervisors. A letter was sent and the County did receive a response back. There was a News Release posted on the County website late Friday, September 27, 2024. Below is a copy of that letter for you to read and decide for yourself its meaning.
It is noted this was done after the Townhall meeting held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. At this meeting, several attendees made comments and/or asked questions about the proposed landfill. It was at this meeting, we also learned apparently the County has received some correspondence from Green Ridge concerning the Conditional Use Permit (CUP). However, details were not shared with those present. It must be noted there are numerous differences between what is in the current Board approved CUP and what has been submitted to the DEQ. The current CUP is due to expire in less than 9 months from now. This is why it continues to be important to attend Board meetings, Planning Commission meetings, and Townhall meetings and let your voice to be heard.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
October 8, 2024 – Cumberland County Board of Supervisors meeting at 7 p.m. at the County Courthouse. We need to attend these meetings and let the supervisors know our concerns with the proposed landfill. If you would like help with what to say, listen to the podcast on this website or email info@cclava.com. Please let your voice be heard!
October 13, 2024 – CCLA Town Hall Meeting with guest speakers from the Virginia Department of Health speaking on private wells. Now is your chance to ask the experts your private well questions. Promises to be a very informative meeting. (insert flyer for October meeting)
October 25, 2024 – CCLA is participating at the Trunk or Treat in Cumberland County from 6-8 p.m. Bring your children or grandchildren to the event where there are a lot of different participants and plenty of free candy and other giveaways.
November 2, 2024 – Starting at 9:30 a.m. it is AMMD Pine Grove Project’s “Schoolyard Jamboree” at Pine Grove School, 267 Pinegrove Road, Cumberland.
November 2, 2024 - CCLA Fall Fundraiser – starting at 5 p.m. at the War Memorial Cultural Arts and Community Center, 235 Skaggs Road, Powhatan. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on the website as things are finalized.
Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support. Your efforts are working no matter if is word of mouth, posts in social media, attending meetings, or other media. Continue to let your voice be heard - IT IS WORKING!!
Podcast Episode is Live!
Watch some of the CCLA leadership address some of the burning topics around this landfill proposal in this long form discussion.
Make sure to share with everyone on social media and in your networks! The fight isn’t over!
News Flash - Important Update!
“Thank you” to everyone who showed up and spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, August 13th. It is so important to let your voice be heard at these meetings. We need to keep up the momentum in the coming months.
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT
After the Public Comments section of the meeting, the Board members had an opportunity to make comments. District One Supervisor, Bryan Hamlet, presented us with an unexpected surprise when he informed us the Board members had agreed to ask the County Attorney to draft a letter to Green Ridge stating that we (the Board) think there is a possibility of a breech to the Host Agreement and request their written response. The breech is related to the change in the proposed entrance to the landfill by Green Ridge without prior written notification to the County requesting their input. Here is the portion of the Board meeting audio where Supervisor Hamlet speaks about the proposed letter.
Let Your Voice be Heard – It is working!!
Thanks to all who are active in making statements on What’s Happening in Cumberland – your voice is being heard. Keep up the flow of information and participation. We very much appreciate your continued support – without it things could be looking a lot different for this project. Cumberland County could be infested with rodents and nasty birds which are not good for our health and well being.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – don’t give up but get active!
Responses to the Green Ridge Meeting Updates
The following comments were received from supporters concerning the August 6th post. Please keep your comments coming by sending them to: info@cclava.com.
“Good morning. I think it should be emphasized the 104 acres & 75 trucks are for the INITIAL phase of the landfill. Clearly there will be expansion if they come. Thx. - SB”
“I have heard that if the landfill comes to Cumberland, the revenue generated is on the lowest end of the pay scale being $1.44 per ton of trash that enters the facility. Amelia county gets over $4.00 per ton of solid waste at their landfill. The county should not accept the lowest payout per ton. They should demand the highest payout since the size has been significantly reduced to include the inbound truck traffic. I am not saying I’m for the project, but if it does come since allegedly $20 million has been invested, then the county needs to renegotiate the payment terms.
Additionally, I’d make them demonstrate on an expense ledger where exactly they’re getting the $20 million investment from because I bet that’s fictitious likely to be made up in lawyer fees on their behalf that they’ve been using which is not part of revenue coming into the county as an potential investment. Lastly, if this landfill project does come to our county, then they can write a check for some new public safety equipment because those will be the first responders if something goes bad there like a hazardous material incident or complex EMS call; been there done that in my past job in another county. Green Ridge is laughing in our face if they’re able to pay the lowest dollar amount per tonnage of trash and not being forced to compensate the county citizens for the disaster they will pose upon us all.
Respectfully, DH”
If you have any thoughts or feelings you would like to express on this situation - please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@cclava.com and share your voice. The fight isn’t over!
August 2024 CCLA Updates
IMPORTANT REMINDER
August 11, 2024 – Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting. AMMD and CCLA continue to work hard to prevent the proposed Green Ridge and affiliates landfill from becoming a reality in Cumberland County. To be successful, we need your support. Please plan to attend and find out what you can do to help us.
RESULTS OF THE MEETING HELD BY GREEN RIDGE AND AFFILIATES ON AUGUST 5TH
Special thank you to all who attended the meeting last evening at the Cumberland County High School where representatives of Green Ridge and affiliates presented an update on the status of the proposed landfill. Their discussion included, but not limited to:
They will not be re-routing Pinegrove Road but instead use it as the entrance to the proposed landfill from Route 60
Downsize the cell size to 104 acres.
Reduce the truck traffic to 75 per day.
Change the operating hours of the proposed facility.
Decrease the daily tonnage.
Use of a double liner.
There were two items stressed several times during their presentation, (1) they invested over $20M in the project so far; and (2) the proposed landfill is Mr. Jerry Cifor’s legacy. The presentation was followed by a Question and Answer session. Audience members asked good solid, well thought out questions concerning safety of the water supply, the need or the proposed landfill, traffic, revenue for the county and how calculated (especially with the reduction in cell size, daily tonnage, and truck traffic). However, few if any of the questions asked were fully answered by the Green Ridge representatives. If you were at the meeting, and have any comments concerning the meeting, please share them by sending an e-mail to info@cclava.com. All emails received will be answered in a timely manner.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
August 13, 2024 – Cumberland County Board of Supervisors regular meeting is scheduled for 7 P.M. at the Court House.
August 19, 2024 – Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Court House.
AS ALWAYS -- WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are approaching a crucial expiration date for Green Ridge to meet within the next 12 months for this project. Your continued support is much needed to STOP this proposed landfill from becoming a reality in Cumberland County. We realize this project is stale and many believe it is a DONE DEAL but it is NOT!! We are now into our 7th year since the Board of Supervisors approved the Host Agreement in June 2018. But that is good news for us and others who are opposed to this project as it shows as we are being effective and the regulatory agencies are listening to our concerns.
Let Your Voice be Heard –
We very much appreciate your continued support – without it things could be looking a lot different for this project. Cumberland County could be infested with rodents and nasty birds which are not good for our health and well being.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – don’t give up but get active!
Reminder - Community Meeting August 11th
Don’t forget about the meeting on August 11th! Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
See you there!
URGENT! All Hands on Deck Needed! Monday 8/5
Dear Members, Supporters, and Allies,
AMMD Pine Grove Project and CCLA are in urgent need of all hands on deck to inform residents of Cumberland County and adjoining counties about the upcoming Green Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility, LLC Community Meeting. According to their letter dated July 18, 2024, and the subsequent announcement in the Farmville Herald, Green Ridge will:
“Discuss the conditional use permit (CUP) it intends to file with the Cumberland Planning Department in connection with its sanitary landfill project located in eastern Cumberland County north of Route 60. A CUP was approved for the project in 2018. Among other things, the revised CUP would reduce the size of the landfill disposal area, the amount of daily waste, and hours of operation.”
Now is our time to ask Green Ridge the hard questions about the landfill project, which will affect us ALL; threatening our water, air, historic resources, land value, health, and generally, our quality of life.
Let’s PACK THE HOUSE and show a UNIFIED FRONT to SAVE our beloved community from TOXIC WASTE!!
Click below to view, download, and or print our flyer sharing this news. Please share with everyone you can and post on your social media if you want to help us spread this message further!
July CCLA Updates
CCLA COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETINGS
June 9th Meeting Results – Gustavo Angeles, Sierra Club, spoke about how CCLA can be involved in serving the local community. He stated we need to show an interest in other happenings in the County, while not losing site of our major goal – to STOP the proposed landfill. Some of his suggestions were to host candidate forums such as the one held in October of 2023; attend the Board of Supervisors meetings, address the fact the last in-depth FEMA flood map review was done over 20 years ago; solar farms, hunting, toxic water from the beagle farm, safety of well water, and grocery store. Members of the audience then selected the top 3 picks from the suggestions above. The first was the well water; the second was the toxic water at the beagle farm, and the third was the need for a FEMA floodplain map update. So, in the coming months you may hear more as CCLA looks at the top 3 suggestions and what we can do to help our community.
August 11, 2024 – Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
October 13, 2024 – Steve Vogel, Virginia Department of Health, Private Well Department. He is scheduled to speak on the many issues concerning private wells in Virginia. Important topic for private well owners. Our only source of water!
The speaker for our December meeting is not scheduled. Our potential list includes both State and Federal elected officials. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
July 9, 2024 – Cumberland County Board of Supervisors regular meeting was held last evening. At least 3 people spoke about the proposed Green Ridge and affiliates landfill. After the Public Comment section closed, Board members are offered time to make comments or ask questions.
IMPORTANT – one board member asked a key question – does the Board have the authority to make changes to the Host Agreement? The county attorney stated he would research and provide an answer. CCLA will closely monitor to hear what the county attorney’s response is and share it with you.
AS ALWAYS -- WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are approaching a crucial expiration date for Green Ridge to meet within the next 12 months for this project. Your continued support is much needed to STOP this proposed landfill from becoming a reality in Cumberland County. We realize this project is stale and many believe it is a DONE DEAL but it is NOT!! We are now into our 7 th year since the Board of Supervisors approved the Host Agreement in June 2018. But that is good news for us and others who are opposed to this project as it shows as we are being effective and the regulatory agencies are listening to our concerns.
Let Your Voice Be Heard –
We very much appreciate your continued support – without it things could be looking a lot different for this project. Cumberland County could be infested with rodents and nasty birds which are not good for our health and well-being.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – don’t give up but get active!
June CCLA Updates
CCLA COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETINGS
June 9, 2024 – Gustavo Angeles, Sierra Club is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting. Plan to attend and hear updates on various items the Sierra Club is involved in across the Commonwealth.
August 11, 2024 – Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
October 13. 2024 – Steve Vogel, Virginia Department of Health, Private Well Department. He is speaking on many issues concerning private wells in Virginia. Most of us depend on water from private wells as our only source of water.
Speaker(s) for our December meeting is not scheduled. Our potential list includes both State and federal elected officials. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
June 11, 2024 – Cumberland County Board of Supervisors monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Court House. Please plan to attend and let your voice be heard concerning the proposed landfill. Only residents and owners of property in Cumberland County can speak at the meeting; however, you can send the supervisors an e-mail or regular letter. If you can attend and plan to speak, please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the back of the meeting room.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Let Your Voice be Heard!
There are many ways to do this by volunteering to help us get the word to other organizations or groups you may belong to. We are prepared to share our information with others, all you need do is let us know when and where. Volunteer to help raise funds to meet necessary incurred costs such as legal, media, and rental fees. There are so many ways to help us spread the word. This is necessary as we are entering a crucial time – people need to know the proposed landfill is not a done deal.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
These words cannot be said often enough. A big “Thank You” to each of you. We
know this project is entering it’s 7th year since the public first learned about it. It
has been a long road, but now is not the time to give up. It is time to get our 2nd
wind and continue to oppose this project that will adversely affect our land, our
community, our state, our health, and our way of life.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – don’t give up but get active!
Yardsale Update - Date Change to 6/1/24
June 1st, 2024 - CCLA is setting up at the Graceland Baptist Church Spring Yard Sale. The location is 975 Dorset Road, Powhatan. VA 23139. The event is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. If you have any items (except clothing and large items) in good condition you would like to donate, please let us know by sending us an email at info@cclava.com or call 804-308-5748. We are looking for volunteers to help with this event, if you can offer a couple of hours of your time, please let us know. Otherwise, please plan to attend and support this event.
Important Notice
The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors meeting is changed to this Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Court House in Cumberland. This is a change from their normal meeting day of the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Please plan to attend, if possible.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
May 18, 2024 – CCLA is setting up at the Graceland Baptist Church Spring Yard Sale. The location is 975 Dorset Road, Powhatan. VA 23139. The event is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. If you have any items (except clothing and large items) in good condition you would like to donate, please let us know by sending us an email at info@cclava.com or call 804-308-5748. We are looking for volunteers to help with this event, if you can offer a couple of hours of your time, please let us know. Otherwise, please plan to attend and support this event.
May 26, 2024 -- AMMD Pine Grove Project is having a Chat and Chew Comment Party. This is your opportunity to sit down together and spell out exactly why the proposed landfill must not be built! The event will be held at the Bright Hope Community Center, 3885 Cumberland Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040. Please RSVP by May 19th. See flyer under the the events tab on our website at cclava.com for more information.
May CCLA Updates
CCLA COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETINGS
April 14th Meeting Results – Mr. Derek Stamey, Cumberland County Administrator, spoke about the county budget, public safety, committee for New Business Task Force, Parks and Recreation Programs, and the Cumberland County Library efforts. Updates were provided on the Cobbs Creek project and the new radio system for the sheriff and EMS. Mr. Stamey took questions from those attending and made notes on items to follow up on and get back to the person asking the question.
June 9, 2024 – Gustavo Angeles, Sierra Club is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting. Plan to attend and hear updates on various items the Sierra Club is involved in across the Commonwealth.
August 11, 2024 – Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
Speakers for our October and December meetings are not scheduled. Our potential list includes both State and Federal elected officials. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
May 18, 2024 – CCLA is setting up at the Graceland Baptist Church Spring Yard Sale. The location is 975 Dorset Road, Powhatan. VA 23139. The event is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. If you have any items (except clothing and large items) in good condition you would like to donate, please let us know by sending us an email at info@cclava.com or call 804-308-5748. We are looking for volunteers to help with this event, if you can offer a couple of hours of your time, please let us know. Otherwise, please plan to attend and support this event.
May 26, 2024 - AMMD Pine Grove Project is having a Chat and Chew Comment Party. This is your opportunity to sit down together and spell out exactly why the proposed landfill must not be built! The event will be held at the Bright Hope Community Center, 3885 Cumberland Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040. Please RSVP by May 19th. See attached flyer.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are approaching a crucial expiration date for Green Ridge to meet within the next 15 months for this project. Your continued support is much needed to STOP this proposed landfill from becoming a reality in Cumberland County. We realize this project is stale and many believe it is a DONE DEAL but it is NOT!! Soon we will enter our 7th year since the Board of Supervisors approved the Host Agreement in June 2018. But that is good news for us and others who are opposed to this project as it shows we are being effective and the regulatory agencies are listening to our concerns.
Let Your Voice be Heard!
There are many ways to do this by volunteering to help us get the word to other organizations or groups you may belong to. We are prepared to share our information with others as we did at the Powhatan Earth Day Celebration. Volunteer to help raise funds to meet necessary incurred costs such as legal, media, and rental fees. Hold a function such as a bake sale for the benefit of CCLA – or the young people can open a lemonade stand during the summer months. There are so many ways to help us spread the word.
We very much appreciate your continued support – without it, things could be looking a lot different for this project. Cumberland County could be infested with rodents and nasty birds which are not good for our health and well-being. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – don’t give up but get active!
April CCLA Updates
CCLA COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETINGS
Upcoming Meetings
April 14, 2024 -- is the next CCLA Community Townhall meeting. Mr. Derek Stamey,
Cumberland County Administrator, is our guest speaker.
June 9, 2024 – Gustavo Angeles, Sierra Club is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
August 11, 2024 – Muriel Branch, AMMD Pine Grove School Project is our guest speaker for this Community Townhall meeting.
Speakers for our October and December meetings are not scheduled. Our potential list includes both State and Federal elected officials. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.
OTHER MEETINGS OR EVENTS OF INTEREST
April 9th – Cumberland County Board of Supervisors regular meeting. We are now into April
2024 and our Board of Supervisors have been in office now going on their 4th month. Plenty of time to get their feet wet. But it is also time to let them know your position on the proposed landfill. This item has been discussed by only one person in depth during the first 3 months of this year. Believe it is time to let the Board know we still have major concerns with the proposed landfill – wells, traffic, health, rural living, etc. Therefore, I am asking you to please try to attend the meeting on April 9th and speak about the landfill. We are now heading into our 7th year of opposition to this project. The County is better now than where it was in 2018. We have met our financial obligations and improved without $$$ from the proposed landfill; therefore, no need for it.
IT IS NOT A DONE DEAL!!!
Let Your Voice Be Heard – plan to attend the meeting on April 9th at 7pm at the Courthouse. FYI – if you are late you can still sign on the sheet on the table in the back of the room to speak -- a change since the beginning of the year. You are limited to 3 minutes per person.
April 19th – CCLA will have a table at Powhatan Earth Day celebration – a family event. Location 3910 Old Buckingham Rd (Court House Lawn), Powhatan, VA 23139 from 4-6p.m. Local vendors, live music, dinner, and more including environmental tips on protecting our environment. It is all FREE FREE FREE!
We are working on other events for the coming months to help defray necessary costs such as legal fees and building rental. If you have any ideas, please let us know by an quick e-mail or call 804-308-5748.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Without your support, things could be a lot different in Cumberland County with trash trucks on our well traveled roads, increase noises, and smells, etc. But thanks to you and your support this is not true, instead we continue to fight to protect our environment, our way of life, our health, our water supply and so many more things. Each of you are greatly appreciated!!