Environmental Impact Statements

DEIS = Draft Environmental Impact Statement

EIS = Environmental Impact Statement

NEPA = National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. The range of actions covered by NEPA is broad and includes:

• making decisions on permit applications,
• adopting federal land management actions, and
• constructing highways and other publicly-owned facilities.

Using the NEPA process, agencies evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions. Agencies also provide opportunities for public review and comment on those evaluations.