Late Friday Wynn Resorts won a key environmental approval for its $1.7 billion Wynn Everett casino project bringing it one step closer to finally breaking ground.

According to a 27-page memo written by Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, Wynn Resorts’ plan to address possible environmental impacts and traffic concerns, “adequately and properly complies” with the state Environmental Policy Act. The finding allows for the approval process to proceed for the proposed project  located on approximately 30 acres of land previously used as an industrial area on the Everett waterfront across from the city of Boston.

The approval is “validation of the planning, hard work and perseverance of everyone involved,” according to a statement issued by Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

The decision which is result of an application process that exceeded two years, which was called “open and fair” by Steve Wynn. He added in a statement that, “The process has been meticulous and hard fought and undoubtedly will continue to be so,” and, “At moments like this, there is certainly a feeling of gratification and forward movement. It lifts our spirits and energizes us.”

Requests for the denial of the certificate were made by State Attorney General Maura Healey who lives across the Mystic River from the proposed casino site in the Boston neighborhood of Charleston, and the cities of Revere, Somerville and Boston who asked that traffic issues surrounding the notoriously congested area around Boston’s Sullivan Square be addressed by Wynn and a long-term plan in place before the permit be issued.

Massachusetts has so far licensed two casinos and a slots parlor including Wynn Everett, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park. A third casino license is expected to go the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe for the First Light Casino in Taunton, or Mass Gaming & Entertainment for a development in Brockton.  The Wynn Resorts casino project is slated to be the largest private development in the state’s history.