ALBANY, N.Y. -- Finger Lakes business owners, elected government leaders and people who live in Seneca County gathered in Albany Tuesday to call on Governor Cuomo to reject a proposed trash incinerator that would allow thousands of tons of trash to be transported and burned in the region. Those groups say that the proposal would damage the region's tourism industry in more ways than one.

"This project would destroy our momentum in building an agritourism destination. It would send our community backwards," said Nancy Irelan, who co-owns Red Tail Ridge Winery.

"It would be a mistake, not only for the town of Romulus, but also for our neighboring communities to entertain an industry that would threaten our growing industry," said Town of Romulus Planning Board member Sue Ellen Balluff.

They are appealing to Governor Cuomo to uphold so-called 'home rule,' and side with the town of Romulus, which has actively rejected the proposal to have a plant between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes at the former Seneca Army Depot.

"The town board is unanimously opposed as is the planning board," said Balluff.

The former depot property is just 3,200 feet from Romulus Central’s K-12 school.

"The Circular enerG trash burning project is not compatible with our delicate environment, sustainable agriculture and tourism," said Irelan.

The New York State Department of Public Service Siting Board confirmed Circular enerG recently withdrew its application to the Town of Romulus and must also obtain Siting Board approval.  Several state health and environmental agencies make up that board.

The developer has yet to submit an application to the siting board.  If one is submitted, it would be subject to what the siting board describes as “extensive environmental and public review process."

"The bottom line is that the Finger Lakes Region is wine country, not gas or trash county," said Yvonne Campbell of the Seneca Lake Guardian.