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Regional Information

Environmental Impact Statements

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared by federal agencies for actions with significant environmental impacts as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. An EIS describes the impacts of an action to environmental resources such as air, water, and wildlife. The agencies use the EIS as one basis for their decisions and to tell the public about environmental impacts caused by the agency's decision.

The specific content and format of an EIS varies depending on the preparing agency, type of project and potential impacts.

Typical EISs (draft and final) are composed of the following elements:

Draft Environmental Impact Statement:

  • Description of Proposed Project or Decision
  • Purpose and Need of Proposed Action
  • Significant Issues or Sensitive Receptors
    • What will be impacted the most?
    • What are the most important impacts?

  • Alternative Development - Are there better ways to meet the Purpose & Need?
  • Affected Environment - Existing Conditions
    Environmental Data - Surface and Ground Water, Air, Vegetation, Wildlife, Fish, Habitat Quality or Condition
  • Environmental Consequences - Prediction of Environmental Impacts
  • Mitigation - What Will Be Done to Reduce or Prevent Impacts?

Final Environmental Impact Statement:

  • Information from Draft EIS
  • Changes Made to Draft EIS
  • Responses to Comments on the Draft EIS
  • Additional Information Supplementing the Draft EIS

A sample environmental impact statement from the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service is provided at the link below:

Final EIS: Off-Road Vehicle Plan for Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota


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