Could there be a new landfill in Lorton? According to the South County Chronicle, Fairfax County officials are working behind the scenes to get a landfill built in the Lorton area. Lorton used to be referred to as “the armpit of Fairfax County,” and it is now becoming an area revitalized with luxury homes. Residents have definitely been opposed to the building of new landfills, and hopefully, they will be able to fight this landfill from being built.

But, this doesn’t even scratch the surface, as the decision has been kept secret by county officials. The talks have been going on since 2007, and it was not until late February until Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity and Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland heard about the status of the landfill proposal. However, the community did not know of the landfill proposal, and they deserved transparency in the process. The community has every right to be angered by this decision.

In fact, the South County Federation sent a letter to Hyland sharing their outrage and demanding that he oppose the landfill. Hyland said, “It does concern me that it could be a disincentive for private investment. However, there is no legal prohibition in the Public-Private Education and Facilities Act from doing so. In connection with CDD landfilling, I would expect to know that the county and our residents’ interest would be well served before entertaining such a proposal.”

Meanwhile, Herrity said that he was bothered by the fact that the landfill had gone to this point without community involvement. Exactly! Where is the transparency? Fairfax County is supposed to be one of the best managed counties in Virginia, yet the community was not informed about the proposed landfill or even had the chance to adequately oppose it, due to the shady nature of the County Executive, Department of Public Works, and others.