An Environmental Impact Statement or EIS is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for certain projects that include federal funding or require federal action, such as from the Federal Highway Administration. The EIS  evaluates the impacts a proposed improvements will have on the natural and man-made environment. It is designed to help agencies, elected officials, and the public make sound decisions for the project and its surrounding area. An EIS is one type of environmental document necessary to secure federal clearance and funding for transportation improvements.