Pacific NorthWest LNG has filed its project application with British Columbian and Canadian environmental assessment agencies, a critical step in the environmental review of the $11-billion project.

Led by Malaysian state-controlled Petronas, the project is among a slate of at least 10 liquefied natural gas proposals in B.C. that have come forward in the past two years.

Once the Pacific NorthWest LNG application is accepted by the provincial agency, the clock starts ticking on a 180-day review, which is expected to include public meetings on the project.

Petronas wants to make a final investment decision by the end of the year.

Feedback during the review will be sought from the public and First Nations.

There is a similar process at the federal level.

Pacific NorthWest LNG president Greg Kist called the filing of the project application a “significant milestone” in the life of the project.

“This marks a renewed round of consultation and feedback from all interested parties on our proposal and I encourage participation in this rigorous environmental review,” he said in a statement.

Concerns raised by area residents and by environmental groups include potential harm to the Skeena River Estuary because of its importance to salmon, increased greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and cumulative effects of other LNG projects.

Kist said the project has already been changed because of feedback with the public.

Among the changes are a 30-metre tree and vegetation buffer around most of Lelu Island where the proposed project will be built, and changing the location of the main flare stack to decrease the visual impact for residents in the adjacent community of Port Edward.