We are concerned citizens and neighbors of Russell County, Virginia that have come together in an effort to stop the potential environmental disaster of a mega-landfill located at the historic Moss 3 site. We wish to preserve what makes our region unique… it’s pristine landscape. We wish to protect the health and welfare of our community so that current and future generations can enjoy clean air, safe water, and a thriving ecosystem. And we wish to influence our decision-makers to prioritize long-term sustainable development over short-term, potentially harmful ventures.
Russell County
Russell County and its surrounding communities are filled with unique culture, a storied history, and scenic natural beauty. The mountainous landscape is unmatched in its splendor, with locales such as the Clinch River, the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, The Great Channels of Virginia, and Tank Hollow Falls… only to name a few. And throughout its history, the people of this county (and in all of Appalachia for that matter) have proven their resiliency and strength in times of threat and hardship. As with many struggles in the past, we have another difficult undertaking with a profit-driven scheme from the coal barons… disregarding our health and the environmental impacts on our community.
The Clinch River
The Clinch River ties southwest Virginia’s communities together. It is highly distinguished as the most biologically diverse river in the mainland of the United States, while also among the most diverse waterways in the entire northern hemisphere. It sustains more than forty-eight “at risk” species, including 29 varieties of rare freshwater mussels and 19 species of fish. This river is extremely important for its overall wealth of rare and endangered aquatic wildlife, while also being an important resource for clean water and numerous recreational opportunities in the region – including the recently established Clinch River State Park.
Obviously, its need for sustainability is vital, and a private mega-landfill on the Moss 3 property would pose a looming danger, being only .75 miles away from the Clinch River with two tributaries directly on site.
Detrimental Effects
The negative effects don’t stop at the Clinch. Landfills contaminate ground water and wells, they emit harmful gases and contaminate the air we breathe (especially methane), they reduce property values, and they greatly increase traffic with large trucks and rail cars – increasing infrastructure damage and litter. And the smell… have we not learned anything from our nearby neighbors in the City of Bristol, Virginia? This will affect not only Russell County, but the entire Clinch Watershed, along with the many neighboring communities in which trucks and rail cars will travel.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that ALL landfills eventually leak, and can contaminate groundwater sources through dangerous leachate, stating, “Even the best liner and leachate collection system will ultimately fail due to natural deterioration.” All of this contamination can lead to exposure of carcinogens, and serious health issues for our citizens and our wildlife.
Read about more negative impacts HERE!
The Proposed Site
The proposed site will be a privately-owned, for-profit facility, with a staggering 6000 tons of estimated daily trash intake coming from other states such as New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. The initial cell will be 30 acres with no cap on expansion. And to add to the offense, the site will be located on the historic ground of the Moss 3 Preparation Plant in Carbo, destroying the important, notable site and a portion of the overall legacy of Camp Solidarity.
Opposition
As residents and neighbors of this beautiful county, our goal is to stop this harmful landfill. We aim to protect the health and welfare of our community, preserve the future of our children, and defend our natural resources.
Please join us in our opposition. This is a potential environmental disaster that could forever scar our landscape, pollute our river, destroy our history, and put our health at risk. Just like the coal miners on strike at Moss 3 in 1989, it is crucial that we stand again… in solidity!
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- We are a 501 c3 non-profit organization with a dedicated mission.
- Our goals are entirely non-partisan, and we do NOT affiliate with any particular political party. Partisan posts will be removed from our Facebook page.
- “We Say No to Moss 3” strictly promotes and adheres to peaceful, non-violent opposition. Any threats of violence, or innuendos of violence is not tolerated. If you do so on our Facebook page or other media, your post will be removed, and you will blocked from the group.