Definition
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is a preliminary federal document that analyzes the likely environmental effects of a proposed major action — such as a new runway, airport expansion, or change in flight procedures — and is released for public and agency review before a final version is issued. It is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is part of the formal review process the FAA must complete before approving certain aviation projects.
Plain English
It is a draft report that explains how a proposed airport or aviation project might affect the environment, published so the public and other agencies can read it and give feedback before any final decision is made.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see DEIS in FAA or airport planning material, especially for airport construction, runway changes, or other projects that could affect nearby communities.
Derivation
‘Draft’ means a preliminary version open to revision. ‘Environmental Impact Statement’ comes from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which requires federal agencies to study and disclose the environmental effects of major actions before approving them. The ‘Draft’ stage exists so the public can comment before the document is finalized.
Why Pilots Care
Proposed changes to runways, instrument procedures, or airspace near an airport often appear first in a DEIS. Pilots, flight schools, and airport users can review and comment on it before changes that affect their operations become final.
Intuition Check
“Draft” does not mean casual or unofficial here. It means an official preliminary version released so people can review it before the final version is issued.
Example Sentence 1
The FAA released a DEIS describing the noise and traffic effects of the proposed third runway at the regional airport.
Example Sentence 2
Stakeholders reviewed the DEIS to understand the environmental effects of adding a new terminal.