An environmental impact report (EIR), mostly discussed regarding environmental law, is an informational document that identifies and describes the potentially significant environmental effects, feasible alternatives, and/or mitigation measures of a proposed project. The purpose of the information is to provide facts and analysis to the public and decision makers about the proposed project to alert them of possible issues before the project begins. These issues could include the project’s impact on the surrounding agricultural land, water supply, air quality, or the threat of natural problems such as drought.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]