When is an environmental impact statement (EIS) required?

An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required specifically when a proposed project is anticipated to have significant effects on the environment. This requirement is rooted in laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the United States, which mandates that federal agencies prepare an EIS for major federal actions that could significantly impact the quality of the human environment.

The purpose of an EIS is to provide a detailed analysis of the potential environmental consequences of a proposed project, consider alternative actions, and involve public input. This ensures that decision-makers and the public are fully informed about the environmental implications of a project before it moves forward.

Other scenarios, such as those listed in the other choices, do not universally necessitate an EIS. For example, merely approving building codes or developing new housing designs may not involve significant environmental impacts or federal oversight, and thus may not require an EIS. Similarly, not every urban development project will inherently require an EIS unless it meets the criteria of significantly affecting the environment.