We started this petition in an effort to draw public attention to the current situation concerning the ever increasing foul odor emanating from the Shoosmith Landfill located in Chester, VA.  

As recent residents (April, 2018) to the Chesterfield, VA, Woodland Pond community my wife and I have noticed a considerable increase in the odor emanating from the Landfill.  Since our relocation on 4/7/2018 to Chesterfield the odor from the landfill has now penetrated the walls of our home.  Our quality of life as a result of this problem has now changed and only seems to be worsening.

As members of the Woodland Pond community and having driven the surrounding areas the term "Smelly Chesterfield" unfortunately could not be more accurate.

Although we hear many complaints regarding this matter they are simply not enough to affect change.  To that end we have decided to initiate this petition in the hopes that our community will unite and fight to regain the quality of life we all expect and deserve.  

We attended a community meeting on 02/05/2019.  To our dissatisfaction, although very cordial the representative from Shoosmith and a representative from an outside consulting company only shared information as to what the company was currently doing but provided little to no explanation as to how they would eliminate the odor.

Problems such as this if left unchecked will continue to have a detrimental effect on not only residential communities but for those businesses within that community as well as the degrading of home values. Please join forces with our community to bring about change. 
 
Please share this petition with your neighbors and any business establishments you may frequent to increase public awareness to this ongoing and serious problem. 

Remember, a community is only as strong as its people and their desire to create meaningful change.  We need to speak as one unified voice. 

The official petition was presented to Ms. Leslie Haley, Chair, Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield County during the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 13, 2019.

To: Leslie Haley, Chair, Board of Supervisors - Chesterfield County,

Dear Ms. Haley,

I submit this petition to you as Chair for the Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield County on behalf of residents located within the surrounding communities of the Shoosmith Landfill in Chester, VA. Support for the petition is acknowledged by the signatures attached to this document.

The purpose of the petition is to call attention to the significant increase in the level and frequency of the odor emanating from the landfill. Concern for quality of life, physical health and potential for plunging home values speaks to the urgency of this matter and necessitates the submission of this petition.

During a recent community meeting representatives of Shoosmith assured residents of the steps currently being taken to monitor the odor, including but not limited to "Sniffers" dispatched into our communities. However, while cordial and informative the question that went unanswered was what specific action was being taken to eliminate this problem. While we certainly appreciate any and all steps taken by Shoosmith to ensure regulatory compliance, perhaps said regulations may be insufficient. One goal of this petition would be to encourage the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to revisit the current regulations and consider implementing and enforcing more stringent standards. The fact remains that despite current steps taken by Shoosmith, the odor has not abated but has in fact increased in its potency and frequency.

It is my sincere hope that by submitting this petition to you it will serve to demonstrate our eagerness to have this issue immediately addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned. I respectfully ask for your assistance regarding this matter.

Sincerely,