Northwest Corridor EIS

What is the EIS Process?

An EIS looks at the natural and human characteristics of an area. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires this study whenever federal funds are used for major transportation projects. An EIS studies all options, including "no action". An EIS is the next required step before any final design or construction can begin.

The EIS includes:

Scoping—a public process to help identify environmental/transportation issues and concerns
Data Collection—collecting crucial environmental/transportation and land-use data, including predictions for travel volumes and patterns through 2030
Development of Alternatives
Analysis of Alternatives—transportation, social, economic and environmental impacts from each alternative are studied and compared
Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)—a report for public review and comment. A DEIS documents project need, alternatives, impact analysis and mitigation plans to avoid or minimize undesirable impacts
Public/agency review of the DEIS
Preparation of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which documents preferred alternatives and responds to comments made during the DEIS review
Preparation of a Record of Decision (ROD) in which the Federal Highway Administration determines the course of action

The schedule is being updated. Please check back later.

An EIS evaluates the impact of various actions on:

Land use
Relocation/right-of-way
Noise
Air quality
Floodplains
Water quality/water resources
Wild and scenic rivers
Wildlife and fisheries
Wetlands
Threatened or endangered species
Pedestrians and bicyclists
Recreation
Economics
Social, environmental and economic environmental justice impact to low income or minority populations
Public safety and security
Farmlands
Hazardous materials
Archeological and historic properties
Paleontological resources
Visual quality
Energy
Parks and wildlife refuges (under U.S. Department of Transportation’s Section 40)