Environmental impact statement
From Portland Afoot
An environmental impact statement, often abbreviated EIS and sometimes FEIS for final environmental impact statement, is a document required for many large infrastructure projects by the National Environmental Policy Act at the federal level and often by state laws, too. It's an attempt to estimate the effects of a major development on its surroundings -- often including social factors such as traffic and crime as well as well as ecological side-effects on nearby air, water and habitat.
An EIS also considers several alternatives to the proposal, including a "no build" option that considers what would happen if the project is not completed.
As part of the writing of an EIS, an agency typically prepares a draft environmental impact statement or DEIS as well. These may weigh other alternative proposals that are not included in the final EIS.
EISes are typically performed by third-party engineering companies and paid for by the agency or agencies proposing the project.
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