Daily poll: Carmans River development

A plan unveiled earlier this year to protect the Carmans River watershed in Brookhaven is considered the most significant piece of environmental legislation on Long Island since the 1993 Pine Barrens Act.

But critics say its potential impact is undermined by concessions made to developers that would force them farther from the river but allow them to build thousands more homes near main thoroughfares with public transportation.

Residents get their first chance to comment on the landmark document during a hearing Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall in Farmingville.