Legislature takes position against area incinerator

PENN YAN--The Yates County Legislature voted unanimously Monday, March 11 to support the New York State Assembly and Senate "Finger Lakes Community Preservation Act" bill which prohibits the construction of a trash incinerator in the Finger Lakes watershed region.
The approved resolution counters the proposed incinerator construction in nearby Romulus at the Seneca Army Depot.
The Yates resolution in part states:
-WHEREAS, siting a trash incinerator in the Finger Lakes region, with the associated adverse impacts of air and ash pollution, additional traffic on public roads, damage to the local tourism, winery and agriculture industries as well as the lakes and farmland throughout the area will significantly affect the thriving agriculture-tourism region;
-WHEREAS, three of the largest landfills in New York State are located in the Finger Lakes region, importing over three million tons of trash per year;
-WHEREAS, the cumulative impact of adding more imported waste would have an extremely negative effect on the public health and safety of the community, the local businesses and lakes.
Since the announcement of the proposed incinerator, a number of environmental and government groups have voiced their opposition to the initiative. Opponents claim the incinerator would emit lead, dioxins, mercury and other carbon emissions and pollutants in the air.