BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Landfill in Northampton County was just dealt a legal defeat.

A judge has officially reinstated two conservation easements, protecting forested land where the landfill was hoping to expand its operations. From Bruce Petrie’s property, you can see the top of the Bethlehem Landfill through the trees.

“The wind blows west to east, so we get that nice smell coming from the landfill, and when we moved here over 30 years ago, you couldn’t even see that. So, it’s built up to a monstrosity,” said Petrie.

Then, almost three years ago, he and several other landowners learned the landfill was planning to expand by hundreds of acres. They got together to file a lawsuit to fight it, and this week, they finally won.

“I knew going into this, not only were the facts on our side, but the law was on our side,” said Petrie.

The decision by Judge Abraham Kassis re-instated two conservation easements, protecting 200 acres of forest from being developed. Lower Saucon Township removed those easements in 2023, but then new members, including Victoria Opthof-Cordaro, were elected to the board.

“A council majority, including myself as Vice President, voted to answer agreeing with the plaintiffs, and saying that the township didn’t do the right thing,” said Opthof-Cordaro.

Since then, more members have been elected to the Board who oppose landfill expansion, like Chad Heimbecker.

“I think we got a message here that Lower Saucon Township is not for sale,” said Heimbecker.

The Bethlehem Landfill told us it would not comment on pending litigation, so it’s not clear if it plans to appeal the decision, but if it does Petrie and the township said they’re ready.

“If they want to spend shareholder dollars fighting a losing cause, that’s their right to do it,” said Petrie.

“I don’t know what their next move will be, all I know is that the truth prevails, and when people come together, the community wins,” said Opthof-Cordaro.

The Bethlehem Landfill now has 30 days to decide whether it wants to appeal Judge Kassis’ decision.