Discovery Land Company proposes creating 118 seasonal homes, a private 18-hole golf course and luxury amenities on 600 wooded acres inside protected Pine Barrens land. While residents worry about polluting their natural resources, nearby businesses are in favor of a potential bump in traffic and lower taxes.

On Long Island, N.Y. a controversial proposal to build a luxury golf community on the East End drew a large crowd, both for and against, CBS2 reported. It’s nearly decision time in a five-year battle over a proposed resort atop the sensitive Pine Barrens.

“Golf courses, they say they don’t pollute, but it’s almost impossible not to,” one man told CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff.

“They spray a lot of stuff on there to control the grass and keep the fairways. It’s a lot of pesticides,” another man said.

Opponents gave an earful to the State Pine Barrens Commission, who must decide if the new resort community complies with strict regulations, CBS2 reported. A developer proposes creating a playground for the rich with 118 seasonal homes, a private 18-hole golf course and luxury amenities on 600 pristine wooded acres in East Quogue next to pastoral farmland.

“This project is net negative in terms of nitrogen,” said development consultant Chic Voorhis.

Dick Amper authored the 1993 Pine Barrens Protection Act, in which Suffolk voters chose to protect the land above Long Island’s purest drinking water, CBS2 reported.

“What they are doing basically is urbanizing our natural treasure,” Amper said.

Until the Pine Barrens Protection Act, limited development is allowed, CBS2 reported. Developers say they will comply with all regulations, but Amper calls the project too big.

“It is the worst place you could put pesticides and fertilizer,” he said.

The development, which was once rejected, has now been renamed the Lewis Road Development and has Southampton Town approval, CBS2 reported. Discovery Land Company, of Arizona, says it will leave more than half the land in natural form.

“We will apply the minimum amount of chemical usage,” Voorhis said.

In quaint nearby hamlets, merchants say they can use the economic boost, CBS2 reported.

“There’s a lot of environmental guidelines that they have to follow, and they will follow because they are going to have to,” business owner Cathy Seeliger said. “I think it will contribute to the lowering of the taxes.”

Opponents warn approval would set a bad precedent, CBS2 reported.

“It’s a natural forest that exists in few places on earth,” said Bill Kearns, of East Quogue.

The commission has until April 20 to decide, CBS2 reported. Either way, the golf course showdown is likely to land in court.