ENVIRONMENT minister Mark McGowan has approved the $15 billion Gorgon gas project, upholding an appeal from the Chevron-led consortium against an Environmental Protection Authority recommendation against the proposal. Development of the Gorgon project hit a snag earlier this year when the WA EPA rejected environmental approval for the construction of a gas processing plant on Barrow Island, due to a perceived risk to the threatened Australian flatback turtle. Mr McGowan said a protection plan was in place, consisting of an additional $60 million commitment by Gorgon, for a series of initiatives to conserve the flatback turtle population and other endangered species.