Born and raised in Chesterfield County, VA, Phil Lohr knows what life was like before the Shoosmith Landfill moved into the neighborhood in 1976. His days were free of chemical odors tickling his nose, and nearby Swift Creek offered good fishing. Over the years, though, he’s seen neighbors keep their kids inside due to the stench, and he worries if the “black juice” percolating out of the landfill will reach the creek every time it rains.
“It’s been a whole lot of smells over the years,” said Lohr, a member of Chesterfield Citizens for Responsible Government.
Shoosmith Landfill, just 12 miles south of Richmond, has a documented history of neglect and permit violations. After the landfill stopped accepting trash in 2022, the owners stopped investing in long-term maintenance and ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2025. Now, the state has stepped in with enough money to keep most environmental threats at bay until the money runs out next summer…