Final answer:
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) primarily projects the impact of a proposed project on the environment and is typically associated with federal projects. It balances project benefits with environmental consequences and does not need unanimous approval from all affected water districts to proceed.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document that projects the impact on the environment of a proposed project. Its primary function is not only to outline the environmental effects of existing projects but more importantly to anticipate and consider the environmental ramifications before a project begins. While it is most commonly associated with state and Federally funded projects, it can also be necessary for any major project that seeks federal approval or permits. An EIS helps decision-makers to balance the benefits of a proposed action against its environmental consequences. Regarding the approval by water districts, while the EIS may be reviewed by various stakeholders, including water districts, it does not necessarily need their unanimous approval to proceed, though their concerns could influence the final decision.
For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for reviewing Environmental Impact Statements prepared for federally funded projects. An example is the EIS released by the Nebraska Department of State, which examined the potential environmental impact of proposed pipeline construction. It considered the possibility of rerouting the pipeline to minimize risks to vital water resources and fragile ecosystems. The EIS's findings indicated that the adjusted route of the pipeline would not harm most resources, suggesting that the document played a critical role in ensuring environmentally responsible project development.