After a long-standing effort stretching over almost two decades, Clermont County officials have set into motion a 12-week process that aims to transform an old menace on Route 28 in Goshen Township into a thing of past. A vast seven-acre illegal dumpsite, which has been a thorn in the side of local residents, will finally be cleaned up, as reported last Friday, October 31, by the Clermont County officials in an announcement captured on a news conference.
Desmond Maaytah, executive director of the Clermont County Land Bank, outlined the collaborative effort by state, county, and township agencies to reach this resolution. "The cooperation of many state and local agencies working tirelessly made this cleanup possible," Maaytah said in a statement obtained by Clermont County, signaling the start of remediation work. The wrangled site, just across from Eagle’s Nest Golf Course, is slated for redevelopment once the clearance is complete. The property’s history is marked by neglect, ending up in foreclosure after its previous owner, Donald W. Combs, served prison time for operating the illegal dump.
The expansive cleanup is overseen by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, with final approvals expected by 2026. An imposing 24,000 tons of waste, a chaotic mix of hazardous material and construction debris, will be hauled away to a specially-designated landfill by Drew Cavinee’s team from Buckeye Elm Contracting. Cavinee provided insight into their strategy: We're hauling out as many as 40 truckloads a day five days a week for at least two months, possibly three. Groundwater contamination is also a critical concern, with environmental consulting by Patriot Engineering, who have installed monitoring wells on site.
A significant financial push to remedy years of pollution comes in the shape of a nearly $2.5 million grant awarded to the Land Bank by the Ohio Department of Development. This funding, part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, requires a local contribution; this one counts on $500,000 from the Land Bank and Goshen Township. The end result will be a clear and compliant plot, ready for a mix of residential and commercial developments that promise to breathe new life into the township.
