One of three small Cork communities will today be selected to host a controversial 250-acre "superdump" - the answer, according to Cork's two local authorities, to the county's future waste disposal needs.
Whatever way they decide, the politicians will face stiff opposition, and the two local authorities, Cork County Council and Cork Corporation, will almost certainly face protracted court proceedings.
The three short-listed sites are at Bottlehill and Grenagh to the north of Cork city and Watergrasshill to the east.
The three communities share common concerns in their opposition to the proposed dump. Woodlands would suffer in each location; local rivers rise at each of the sites shortlisted by consultants; and water quality would be affected.
If Watergrasshill is chosen, the site will be at Moanbawn Wood, which was partly developed as a nature trail with the aid of Coillte. The wood contains protected bird life such as hen harriers, and generations of local people have used it as an amenity area.
The Owenacurra river rises in the wood and the Butlerstown river flows nearby. Both are used as a primary water-supply source by Cork County Council.
More than 2,600 people living within three miles of the wood use the council's water supply or have made their own arrangements, with wells and boreholes, while up to 50,000 people in the wider hinterland, stretching as far as Cobh, receive their supplies from water generated by the two rivers.
Mr Barry Curtin, of the Watergrasshill & District Environmental Alliance, says the very suggestion of a dump at the site is ludicrous and bizarre. "There's no way we will allow it to happen here. It's inconceivable that they would even consider putting a hazard such as this next to a wonderful natural resource.
"We are going to fight this all the way because, if the dump comes, the people will have to go That will be their only choice", he said.
He added that planning permission had recently been granted for an additional 500 houses at Watergrasshill village, which has a population of about 800.
Lyredane Wood at the village of Grenagh, about halfway between Cork and Mallow, is another of the proposed sites. The village has a population of only 150 but the parish contains 1,500.
The Martin river rises in Lyredane Wood and joins the Shournagh before entering the Lee downriver of the Cork city water supply.
The council's domestic water scheme for the area relies on three main boreholes. Water quality in the Martin has direct implications for Cork city as well as for the immediate area.
Private wells are also used extensively by the Grenagh parishioners. Like Watergrasshill, the wood is regarded as an amenity and is home to a small population of hen harriers.
"It's like Russian roulette. One gun, three bullets, two blanks", said Father Liam Kelleher, parish priest of Grenagh and a member of the Grenagh Anti-Dump Group. "I've said it publicly and I will say it again: I would rather die than allow that dump to be located here.
"If I have to, I will go to jail to prevent it happening. Since last October 48 new houses have been built in the village. A further 400 houses are planned during the next five years. We'll go all the way to Europe, if necessary."
Bottlehill Wood is the third site on the list. It covers three parishes - Carrignavar, Glen ville and Mourneabbey - populated by more than 5,000 people. The Glashaboy river rises near the wood, the Bride rises within it and the Clyda emerges at a "holy well" about 20 metres from the perimeter fence.
The Glashaboy feeds into the Cork city water supply at Dunkettle, after treatment; the Bride is used for the Conna Regional Water Supply, to feed parts of the east of Cork city; and the Clyda supply is a major source for the town of Mallow. The wood is a designated picnic area for tourists and is regarded as of high amenity value.
Local residents feel that the 2,000-acre wood may be the most appealing location for the local authorities because of its size. "They only want 250 acres. The size of our wood may place us under greater threat, I think, but we intend to fight this proposal to the bitter end", said Mr John O'Riordan, of the Bottlehill Environmental Alliance.
The fact that there is no core community next to the wood may also militate against Bottlehill, according to locals.
The list of possible sites was announced last October, and since then there has been intense debate and lobbying. While today is decision day, it may be only the beginning of an even longer campaign.