What is a Draft EIS?

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a summary of the expected impacts each project design, or “alternative,” is likely to have on the surrounding area. The process to develop the Draft EIS:

Is required of all federally-funded projects
Considers all benefits and impacts on the surrounding area of proposed project alternatives
Analyzes the range of proposed project designs, or “alternatives”
Provides an intense and thorough process of analysis for each proposed alternative
Shows compliance with environmental regulations
Helps stakeholders and decision-makers understand the trade-offs of the proposed alternatives
Provides a venue for public and agency involvement

A Draft EIS includes the following:

Description of the alternatives
Description of the existing conditions in the environment
Expected impacts from each of the alternatives
Options to avoid, minimize or mitigate the impacts
Costs, financing and cost effectiveness
Description of agency coordination

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law that regulates the decision-making processes of federally funded projects. The purpose of NEPA is to help ensure that public projects address the needs of the community while avoiding, minimizing or mitigating for negative impacts on human and natural environments.