"Over the past year, we've made significant progress inadvancing the plan for this project," says Kevin DeSanctis,chairman and CEO of the locally based Revel. "We look forward tocontinuing our work with local and state authorities and gamingregulators."

The latest approval follows by just weeks an O.K. from thiscity's planning board for the site plan. Thatapproval also covered certain onsite circulation and infrastructureimprovements, and now the NJ DEP permit will allow Revel to beginfooting and foundation work.

The approved plan for the 20-acre site calls for two hoteltowers of 1,900 rooms each, and Revel execs say they're still inthe process of determining whether to build both at the same timeor phase them. Also part of the plan are 150,000 sf of casinospace, and 500,000 sf of retail and entertainment space including a5,500-seat theater. A 2010 opening is the target.