NORTH ARLINGTON, N.J. - After months of planning and re-planning, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission gave preliminary approval to EnCap Holdings LLC of Tampa, Fla., for its amended plan that would convert former landfills into four golf courses and a resort.

Phase I of the project will include the first 36 holes, a clubhouse and support buildings, two hotels, office buildings, a retail center and residential components in Rutherford, Lyndhurst and North Arlington. Phase II will comprise the second 36 holes and related amenities in North Arlington and Kearny.

The agreement, which originated in May 2000, calls for EnCap to cap seven landfills - a total of 1,330 acres - and provide a base layer for the golf course development.

Under Phase I, EnCap will pay approximately $18 million to the commission, assume responsibility for the $3 million cost of lechate disposal, and provide closure and post-closure of the Kingsland landfill in Lyndhurst, generating an additional $45 million for the commission. Phase II will result in EnCap making payments of approximately $30.5 million. In all, EnCap plans to spend more than $1.2 billion on the project.