What is the role of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

• A. The EIS summarizes market demand projections.
• B. The EIS lists stakeholder opinions only.
• C. The EIS assesses the project's feasibility purely on cost.
• D. The EIS documents the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project and outlines mitigation measures.

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is what the Environmental Impact Statement does in the planning and approval process. An EIS is a formal document that analyzes the potential environmental effects of a proposed project—covering aspects like air and water quality, ecosystems, noise, traffic, and cultural resources—and it evaluates how significant those impacts could be. It also describes reasonable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or offset adverse effects and often considers alternatives to the proposed project. Public involvement and the consideration of cumulative impacts are part of the process as well, helping decision-makers weigh environmental costs alongside other factors.

This is why the correct option is best: it precisely describes that the EIS documents potential environmental impacts and outlines mitigation measures. The other options don’t fit the purpose of an EIS: market demand projections relate to economics, stakeholder opinions alone don’t capture environmental analysis, and assessing feasibility purely on cost ignores environmental considerations and mitigation.