When must an environmental impact statement be prepared and what must it discuss?

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires all federal agencies to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. An agency need not prepare an EIS for a particular proposal if it finds, on the basis of a shorter environmental assessment (EA), that the action will not have a significant impact on the environment.



An EIS must discuss (1 ) environmental consequences of the proposed action; (2 ) available alternatives; (3 ) direct and indirect effects; (4 ) energy requirements; (5 ) impact on urban quality, historic, and cultural resources; and (6 ) the means to mitigate adverse environmental impacts. Once a draft report is ready, the federal agency must hold a hearing to allow for outside comments.