EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)
If it is determined that a proposed federal action does not fall within a designated categorical exclusion or does not qualify for a FONSI, then the responsible agency or agencies must prepare an EIS.
The purpose of an EIS is to ultimately help public officials make informed decisions that are a reflection of an understanding of environmental consequences and the alternatives available.
An EIS is required to describe:
• The environmental impacts of the proposed action;
• Any adverse environmental impacts that cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented;
• The reasonable alternatives to the proposed action;
• The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity; and
• Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
Read more about this topic: National Environmental Policy Act
Famous quotes containing the word impact:
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—David Thomson, U.S. film historian. America in the Dark: The Impact of Hollywood Films on American Culture, ch. 8, William Morrow (1977)