The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on July 28, 2025, to discuss Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 24-01, which has sparked significant community concern regarding a proposed landfill project. The meeting featured passionate public comments highlighting potential environmental and traffic issues associated with the landfill.

Several residents voiced their apprehensions about the landfill's proximity to the Powhatan County line, emphasizing the anticipated increase in truck traffic on local roads. One speaker pointed out that the intersection of Routes 60 and 522 is already a dangerous area, particularly during peak hours, and expressed fears that adding more trash trucks would exacerbate the situation. The speaker urged the board to consider the negative impact on Powhatan County and called for a delay in the vote to allow for further evaluation of community concerns.

Another resident, affiliated with the Sierra Club, shared insights from their experience with landfills across the United States. They stressed that while companies often claim compliance with regulations, the long-term environmental risks cannot be overlooked. The speaker implored the board to prioritize public health and safety over corporate profits, arguing that no guarantees could be made regarding the landfill's impact on air and water quality.

As the public comments concluded, the board members prepared to address the concerns raised. They clarified misconceptions about the landfill's height, stating that the proposed structure would be significantly lower than some estimates suggested, with the initial phase reaching approximately 140 feet.

The meeting underscored the community's deep-seated concerns about the proposed landfill, with residents advocating for a thorough examination of its potential impacts before any decisions are made. The board's next steps remain to be seen as they weigh the public's input against the project's proposed benefits.