The
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires
that all federal agencies prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for all major federal actions significantly
affecting the human environment. NEPA also requires that
the EIS process adheres to a comprehensive public involvement
plan and mandates rigorous exploration of the environmental
impacts of a range of alternative solutions.
The EIS is the document that demonstrates compliance with
NEPA, and, as such, it is made available for public review
and comment as a Draft EIS. The Final EIS is not approved
until comments and issues raised by the public and other
government agencies with regard to the Draft EIS are addressed
to the satisfaction of the lead federal agency.
