Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

ISSN: 1461-5517 (Print) 1471-5465 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tiap20

Use of geographic information systems in an

environmental impact assessment of an overhead
power line

L. L. Warner & R. D. Diab

To cite this article: L. L. Warner & R. D. Diab (2002) Use of geographic information systems in
an environmental impact assessment of an overhead power line, Impact Assessment and Project
Appraisal, 20:1, 39-47, DOI: 10.3152/147154602781766807

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.3152/147154602781766807

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Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal , volume 20, number 1, March 2002, pages 3947, Beech Tree Publishing, 10 Watford Close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2EP, UK
GIS analysis
Use of geographic information systems in an
environmental impact assessment of an
overhead power line
L L Warner and R D Diab
Can geographic information systems (GIS) help
in power line route selection in the ecologically
sensitive and socially complex area of Kranskop
in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa? Transforming
data into digital form and preparing layers for
the GIS was time-consuming. Weights were as-
signed to layers using a pairwise comparison ma-
trix, and combined into a single composite cost
surface using the multi-criteria evaluation mod-
ule of the IDRISI GIS package, whose auto-
mated route selector was unsuccessful, so
computer-assisted methods were used. Cost indi-
ces, area analysis and impacts of routes were
readily compared. Changing weights had no ma-
jor impact. The views of interested and affected
parties influenced our results; how can this best
be achieved in future? Positive attributes of GIS
are its interactive nature and its overlaying and
displaying selected information at relevant times.
Keywords: environmental impact assessment; geographic
information systems; power lines
L L Warner and R D Diab are at the School of Life and Envi-
ronmental Sciences, University of Natal, Durban 4041, South
Africa; Tel: +27 31 260-2300; Fax: +27 31 260-1391; E-mail:
diab@nu.ac.za.
The Human Sciences Research Council in Durban is ac-
knowledged for the use of their facilities and for assistance in
digitising data. Mr Frank Sokolic of the School of Life and
Environmental Sciences, University of Natal, Durban is thanked
for writing the customised software.
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002
T
HE ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS on the
environment demands the analysis of large,
complex data sets of a multi-disciplinary na-
ture. Geographic information systems (GIS) have the
ability to store, manipulate, analyse and display
large sets of complex, geographically referenced
data and are therefore well suited to spatial applic a-
tions of this nature and complexity (Maquire et al,
1991).
Many advantages of employing GIS in environ-
mental impact assessments (EIAs) have been noted
(for example, Eedy, 1995; Antunes et al, 1996; Joao
and Fonseca, 1996). Some of the attributes listed are
the ability to handle large data sets in a spatial
framework and the facility for cartographic display,
which is a powerful means of conveying results in a
way that is easily interpreted (Cassettari, 1993).
Layers of data can be combined or eliminated. Areas
of environmental constraint are easily identified and
can be assigned different weights. Buffers can be
placed around intrusions, such as power lines or ac-
cess roads, or around sensitive areas, such as nesting
habitats.
The GIS is dynamic and continuous updating of
information over time and space allows for planning
flexibility, auditing and cumulative impact assess-
ment as new developments take place. Different
scenarios may be generated with minimal effort and
time to provide multiple choices and options for de-
cision-makers. Evaluation of impacts is available
through methods such as area analysis and three-
dimensional viewshed analysis.
Balanced against these positive attributes, there
1461-5517/02/010039-9 US$08.00 IAIA 2002 39
Use of GIS in EIA of power line

Box 1. Glossary of terms

Cadastral
A cadastral is a register of property and a cadastral survey is
one in which property is surveyed. The word cadastral is also
loosely used to describe large-scale mapping in which prop-
erty divisions are shown (Monkhouse, 1970).

Orthophoto
An orthophoto is a map that contains an aerial photograph
which has been geo-referenced and corrected for distortions
resulting from topographic relief, camera lens characteristics
and camera attitude.

Raster
A raster data structure is one in which spatial data are repre-
sented by a grid of uniform cells, each of which contains a
value or values pertaining to the area covered by that cell.

Servitude
A strip of land of varying width that buffers a power line.

Viewshed
A viewshed shows all areas that are visible from a particular
point or series of points.

are a number of problems associated with the use of
GIS. Reasons for its capabilities not being fully util-
ised were noted by Joao and Fonseca (1996) and
include the time taken to prepare the database, the
initial purchase costs of hardware and software and
the data collection and conversion (to digital format)
costs. Other limiting factors are the level of technical
expertise required to operate the system, the general
lack of availability of data in a digital format and the
difficulty of integrating layers of information pos-
sessing different resolutions and accuracy.
According to Antunes et al (1996), GIS is widely
used for the presentation of baseline environmental
information and to a lesser extent for impact evalua-
tion. Joao and Fonseca (1996), in a survey on the use
of GIS by EIA practitioners, found that it was not
restricted to the production of maps, but was also
being used for analysis and modelling. However,
they also noted that GIS was not used in the public
participation phase. It is often employed to convey
the results of an EIA to the public, but evidence was
not found for the use of GIS to incorporate the pub-
lics point of view during data preparation and in the
analysis or modelling phases.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the viabil-
ity of using GIS as a tool in EIA. It was used in a
post-EIA study, in which one of the objectives was
to compare the optimum power line route as identi-
fied by the GIS method with that recommended by
the original EIA. The EIA case study chosen as a
basis for this investigation is the routing of an over-
head power line in an area where a large variety of
biophysical and socially sensitive characteristics
exist which present an enormous challenge in the
identification of a suitable power line route. GIS is
used to aid the identification of potential power line
routes and then the selection of an optimum route.
Specific objectives of this paper are: to provide a
brief overview of the project and the environmental
Figure 1. Location map of the study area in KwaZulu-Natal
and social characteristics of the study area; to outline
the approach adopted in the GIS application; to
assess the results of the GIS application and to
highlight any problems encountered; and to make
recommendations for the future use of GIS in envi-
ronmental assessments.
Background to the case study
The case study selected is the routing of a 132 kV
overhead power line in the Kranskop area of the
province of KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of
South Africa. The component of the project relevant
to this paper is the routing between Hermannsburg
and Middledrift, via a substation at Kranskop (Fig-
ure 1). The route was considered in two parts: Sec-
tion I between Hermannsburg and Kranskop; and
Section II, from Kranskop to Middledrift, which is
situated on the Tugela River.
The need for the power line arose from the
The need for the power line arose from
the national Department of Water
Affairs and Forestrys envisaged
scheme to pump water from the
Tugela River to the urban-industrial
node of Richards Bay to forestall a
critical shortage of water in the area

40 Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002


national Department of Water Affairs and Forestrys
envisaged water pumping scheme (Mhlathuze Water
Augmentation Scheme), which is designed to pump
water from the Tugela River to the urban-industrial
node of Richards Bay (Figure 1) to forestall a critical
shortage of water in the industria l area. For the pur-
poses of this paper, the background and justification
for selecting the Hermannsburg substation as the
starting point for the provision of power are not
relevant. The reasons were fully discussed in the
EIA report by Diab et al (1995).
The diversity of environmental and social factors
that had to be considered in this particular EIA made
it ideal as a case study to test the application of GIS.
Topography represents a major constraint, as a steep
escarpment (Figure 2) marks the interface between
the high-lying, gently undulating plateau (>1100 m)
and the broken, rugged and inaccessible terrain of
the Tugela valley.
In terms of hydrology, the upland plateau is char-
acterised by a series of shallow water courses, which
give rise to a number of wetlands. Many of these are
being rehabilitated by local farmers in the hope of
attracting waterfowl. Sightings of the endangered
wattled crane have been recorded in the area.
Rivers draining off the escarpment towards the
Tugela River are in steep-sided valleys that descend
steeply in their upper courses. On the plateau, rivers
are gently sloping and shallow, with seasonal flood-
ing of the many associated wetlands. Soils on the
plateau are hydromorphic, whereas, closer to the
escarpment and in the Tugela valley, they are shal-
low and highly erodible, posing a problem for the
construction of access roads.
Much of the natural vegetation on the plateau has
been modified by agricultural activity, but in the
north-east, areas of natural grassland (sourveld ) do
exist. Patches of forest, transitional between temper-
ate and coastal, exist close to the escarpment. Being
transitional, the forest is particularly species rich and
contains a number of threatened endemic species.
Epiphytic orchids, classed as rare, are in evidence.
Figure 2. Study area showing positions of substations, roads, rivers and escarpment
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002
Use of GIS in EIA of power line
This forest type has a high conservation status and
further fragmentation, which is a major cause of
species decline, is undesirable.
In the Tugela valley, a number of plant communi-
ties exist, some of which are in a relatively natural
state, whilst others are severely disturbed. Of major
interest in this area is a colony of Cape Griffon vul-
tures, which use the steep cliff faces of the escarp-
ment, in the vicinity of The Kop and Ntunjambili, as
nesting and roosting sites (see Figure 2).
The main land use on the plateau is agriculture
(maize, sugar cane and some vegetables) and silv i-
culture, with some natural grasslands to the north
and west of Kranskop. Most of the farms are either
privately or company owned. Issues raised by the 26
landowners on the plateau related to objections to
additional power lines traversing their property on
the grounds of loss of productive farmland, interfer-
ence with aerial crop spraying and overhead irriga-
tion systems, and dissatisfaction with compensation.
They were also concerned about negative impacts on
wattled crane and vulture populations and on sites of
historical value and tourism potential.
East of Kranskop towards the escarpment and be-
low, towards the Tugela River, the land is under the
jurisdiction of the Bhengu Tribal Authority. It con-
sists chiefly of scattered rural homesteads, with the
exception of the peri-urban settlement of Ntunja m-
bili, which is densely settled and includes a mission
station and schools. The prime concern of the local
tribal inkosi (chief) and community leaders was that
the project should benefit the people of the area. The
exact routing of the power line was of secondary
importance, although some concern was expressed
about negative impacts on indigenous forests along
some routes.
Below the escarpment, there is little agricultural
activity except for limited subsistence farming, and
natural vegetation (disturbed natural bushveld con-
sisting of trees, shrubs and grasses) occurs through-
out. Tourism development in the area is limited at
present, but its scenic beauty, particularly The Kop,
41
Use of GIS in EIA of power line
affords great opportunities. A number of sites of his-
torical (Anglo-Zulu war of 1879) and archaeological
(early Iron Age) interest are located in the area.
All these factors, together with the views of inter-
ested and affected parties (I&APs) mentioned above,
were considered in the original EIA and in the route
selection process (Diab et al, 1995). The intention of
this paper is to incorporate these factors into a GIS,
which can then be used as an objective tool in the
route-selection process.
Data and methodology
The GIS package IDRISI (version 1.0) was selected
for the analysis, since it is a raster-based GIS, which
is suited to overlay mapping and the analysis of con-
tinuous spatial data. The package can handle the
volume of data to be processed, point data can be
accommodated and viewshed analysis is available.
Functions that facilitate the combination of weighted
layers, automatic route selection and area analysis
are also included in the standard package.
Land-use cover was digitised using a combination
of 1:10,000 aerial photographs and site visits. Aerial
photographs of varying scales were used to verify
boundaries that enclose the different land uses, as
well as the location of individual rural homesteads.
Rivers and roads were captured from 1:10,000 or-
thophotos and served as a backdrop for the transfer
and accurate mapping of data. The geographical lo-
cations of vulture breeding and roost sites, wetlands,
historical forts and archaeological sites (full details
given in Diab et al, 1995) were assembled from a
variety of mapped sources and included on the geo-
referenced land-use maps.
A 25m grid size was used for the rasterised data.
This choice was influenced by the minimum width
of 70m for important wetland and indigenous forest
areas and would ensure that these small data ele-
ments would be represented. As there were no
Table 1. Pairwise comparison table and resulting weights for factors combined to produce a single suitability surface for power
line routing
Rural Access Cultural/ Cadastral
homesteads historical boundaries
Rural homesteads 1 0.0192
Access 3 1
Cultural/ historical 3 3 1 0.0426
Cadastral 5 3 3 1
boundaries
Topography 7 5 3 3
Aesthetics 7 7 5 5
Land use 7 7 5 5
Environmental 9 9 7 5
Note: To interpret the table, rows should be compared with columns: for example, the environmental factor is rated as extremely more
important (9) than rural homesteads but of equivalent importance (1) when compared with land use
42
smaller data elements to be mapped or represented,
this grid size was deemed adequate. Furthermore, as
the actual built power line may deviate marginally
from the recommended route, a smaller grid size
seemed unnecessary.
Digital cadastral data and digital elevation data at
200m intervals were obtained from the Surveyor
General in Pietermaritzburg and Mowbray respec-
tively. The standard module, SLOPE in IDRISI, was
then used to calculate the slope between each adja-
cent grid square. Areas with a slope greater than a
critical value could be readily identified and ex-
cluded from the consideration of possible power line
routes.
Data were assembled into layers; these were then
combined into a single composite map or surface,
which is a measure of suitability, using the module
multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) in IDRISI.
Creating layers
Four steps were followed to create the layers. First
was the assignment of weights to each factor (layer),
according to its relative importance. It is highly
likely that factors have different degrees of impor-
tance and this should be reflected in their relative
weights in the composite map of suitability. Impor-
tance can be assigned qualitatively and this can be
subjective, as is illustrated in the route-selection
method developed by Sankoh et al (1993), where
protection worthiness is classified as very high (3),
intermediate (2) and low (1).
Alternatively, values can be assigned subjectively,
yet quantified in a way that is transparent, can be
substantiated and is available for debate and possible
amendment. Such a method is the analytical hierar-
chy process of Saaty (1977), which uses a pairwise
comparison matrix. This forms the basis of the
IDRISI module WEIGHT. It uses a nine-point con-
tinuous rating scale, whereby criteria are rated
against each other by means of a pairwise comparison
Topography Aesthetics Land Environmental Weight
use
0.0274
0.0637
1 0.1038
3 1 0.1768
3 3 1 0.2611
5 3 1 1 0.3055
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002

matrix (Eastman, 1995). The scale used a range from
9 (extremely more important) to 1 (equal
importance).
The question posed in completing the table (Table
1) by the authors is how much more important is
one factor than each of the others, with regard to
locating a power line? It is recognised that there is
a certain amount of subjectivity involved in this
process, however, the ranking of the factors that
were recorded in the original EIA study (Diab et al,
1995) was used as a basis for the derivation of the
table. I&APs and specialists had been asked to rank
factors and the task here was to combine these rank-
ings and assign weights, such that the factor that
gave rise to the most comment and concern was ac-
corded the highest weight.
The layers are, in ascending order of importance:
rural homesteads; access; cultural and historical
sites; cadastral boundaries; topography (represented
by slope); aesthetics (distance from viewpoint
within the viewshed); land-use cover; and environ-
mentally sensitive elements (vultures, wetlands and
a proposed conservation area). The presence of vul-
tures along the escarpment emerged as the most
important consideration and thus environmentally
sensitive elements were rated as extremely more
important (9) when compared with rural homes and
access, but of equivalent importance (1) when com-
pared with land use.
Tourist potential and the outstanding natural
beauty of the area surrounding The Kop were the
main reasons for the high ranking of the aesthetic
factor. It was rated as very strongly more important
(7) than rural homesteads and access and moderately
more important (3) than cadastral boundaries.
Slope was rated as strongly more important (5)
than access because the sheer cliffs of the escarp-
ment may preclude the construction of the power
line, while access to areas without existing roads
may be possible through the option of building the
necessary access roads. Cadastral boundaries were
ranked as moderately more important (3) than the
cultural factor and access, since routing along a
boundary minimises impact on land use and in some
instances may facilitate access along existing tracks,
which are used to maintain fences and boundaries.
While power lines which span cultural sites may
be aesthetically displeasing, careful positioning of
tower sites away from the cultural site, and precau-
tions taken during construction to avoid damage to
the site, will minimise impact. Large numbers of
individual rural homesteads in the Tugela valley
posed a problem for routing of the power line, since
dwellings should not be located within the servitude.
However, the EIA study (Diab et al, 1995) indicated
that relocation would be possible in some cases, if
compensation and land were made available and
provided that ancestral burial grounds were not
involved.
The weights in the last column of Table 1 are
determined by using the WEIGHT module of IDRISI.
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002
Use of GIS in EIA of power line
The relative weights sum to 1 as required by MCE.
In this case, the consistency ratio (also calc ulated by
WEIGHT), which is a measure of the probability
that the values were randomly assigned, is 0.07. Ac-
cording to Saaty (1977), a consistency ratio less than
0.10 is good, whereas, a value greater than 0.10 is an
indication that the matrix entries should be
re-evaluated.
The second step in preparing the layers is the
quantification of non-numeric data such as land-use
types. The pairwise comparison method provides a
means for determining relative suitability of catego-
ries within a layer and hence a score can be assigned
to each category. In this study, land-use categories in
increasing order of importance are: grasslands;
ploughed land; maize or vegetables; sugar cane;
bushveld; forestry; dams; other water bodies; in-
digenous forest; peri-urban area of Ntunjambili; ur-
ban area of Kranskop; landing strips; and formal
homesteads.
Thirdly, the standardisation method of Eastman
(1995) was applied, where scores were transformed
to standardised values such that 0 represents the
least suitable score and 100 the most suitable.
Finally, constraints, defined as restrictions, were
applied. For example, a power line may not be con-
structed within the restricted zone of an airfield.
Combining factors
The combination of factors into a single composite
suitability surface is performed by the multi-criteria
evaluation module (MCE) of IDRISI. The procedure
is a weighted linear combination where each factor
is multiplied by a weight and the results added to
give an overall measure of the suitability for each
grid cell. Factors were developed so that the higher
the social cost (as opposed to benefit) the lower the
suitability.
Therefore, subtracting the suitability surface from
the maximum value of 100 provides a measure of
cost, which should be interpreted not in terms of
monetary units but as a measure of unsuitability.
Once composite suitability and cost surfaces have
been compiled, two general methods of route sele c-
tion, referred to as the automated and computer-
assisted methods, may be employed to identify an
optimum route.
The multi-criteria evaluation module
of IDRISI created a single composite
suitability surface: each factor is
multiplied by a weight and the results
added to give an overall measure of
the suitability for each grid cell
43
Use of GIS in EIA of power line

This study initially set out to use the automated Table 2. Costs of potential routes for Section I
method using the COSTPUSH and PATHWAY
modules of IDRISI to derive an optimal power line Group Route Total cost Length Cost
route. However, because of inconsistencies and (km) index
anomalies that are fully described in Warner (1998)
and were reported to the software supplier, it was Southern IA 29565 14.651 2.02
decided not to pursue this method because of time IB 29414 15.128 1.94
constraints. Northern IC 48393 19.298 2.51
The alternative computer-assisted method consists ID 47870 19.247 2.49
of visually scanning a composite cost surface IE 47135 19.556 2.41
and demarcating possible alternative paths. By dis-
IF 46077 19.320 2.38
playing the cost surface on a computer screen,
together with the start and end points of the power IG 51635 22.189 2.33
line, the route can be digitised as a series of Impact study IH 47442 17.219 2.76
connected straight lines. The end points of the lines Note: Cost is defined as 100-suitability the higher the cost,
correspond to points at which a decision has to be the lower the suitability
made about a change in direction so that the criteria
of least cost and shortest distance are continuously
satisfied. 100. The total cost of a route is the sum of grid cells
In this manner, computer-assisted power line intersected by the digitised and buffered route. Rea-
routes are identified. As it was not possible to visu- sons for lower costs along the southern routes
ally determine which of two possible routes around included the fact that they crossed relatively flatter
an unsuitable area would have the lowest terrain and there is less forestry and more agricul-
costdistance value, a number of alternatives were tural land.
digitised and subjected to further evaluation for se- The optimum route based on this analysis was
lection of the optimal route. Route IB (Table 2). By comparison, the recom-
mended route of the original EIA was Route IH.
Reasons for this apparent anomaly lie in the strong
Results influence of the views of I&APs in the original EIA
study.
Seven alternative routes for Section I were identified I&APs, in particular the local farmers associa-
using the computer-assisted method. The route rec- tion, expressed strong collective opposition to addi-
ommended in the original EIA was based on field tional power lines on their farmland situated to
visits, and views of I&APs and the client. Routes are the south of Kranskop. Although views of I&APs
divided into two broad groups: those located to the influenced factor weightings they were not included
north of Kranskop (6) and those to the south (2). as a quantified layer in the GIS analysis.
Figure 3 displays only three selected routes, the oth- In hindsight, they could have been included as
ers being minor modifications of those presented. follows: farms that were unsuitable because of
The southern routes had shorter line lengths by ap- practices associated with intensive agriculture could
proximately 25% and overall lower cost indices have been delimited; farms with existing power lines
(Table 2). and where farmers were not in favour of additional
Cost can be interpreted as the inverse of suita- lines could have been identified and located; and the
bility, hence the higher the cost, the lower the road could have been buffered by an amount accept-
suitability. The cost surface is calculated by IDRISI able to local residents for the purpose of keeping the
by subtracting the composite suitability surface from power lines from view. These new attributes would
then have been added as a separate layer. Alterna-
tively, the environmental layer, which in this appli-
cation assigned values to intrinsic aspects of the
landscape, could have been redesigned to incorpo-
rate views of I&APs.
The discrepancy noted between the optimum
route identified by the GIS analysis and that rec-
ommended in the original study underlines the
importance of incorporating views of I&APs in a
GIS analysis and has emerged as a strong recom-
mendation of this study.
Focusing attention on the northern routes, it is
noted that Route IH, recommended by the original
Figure 3. Composite suitability surface for Section I of the
power line routing between substation SS1 EIA, has the highest cost index of all the alternative
(Hermannsburg) and SS2B (Kranskop) showing routes (Table 2), suggesting that there were others
three selected power line routes that were associated with fewer impacts. Route IH is

44 Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002

 Use of GIS in EIA of power line

Table 3. Route evaluation for Se ction I

Factor Attribute or Criterion Route ID Route IF Route IG Route IH

Environmental Indigenous forest 0 0.625 1.687 0.063

Wetlands 4.063 1.625 0 5.563
Land use Grassland 70.250 90.813 102.125 67.438
Ploughed fields 2.875 1.813 1.375 3.250
Maize or vegetables 6.250 6.500 10.000 16.125
Sugar cane 26.750 27.688 29.437 25.750
Indigenous bushveld 8.375 14.250 25.250 20.438
Forestry 105.063 78.938 53.000 60.938
Slope Slopes >20 0 0 2.562 4.875
Slopes 1020 37.063 30.875 56.062 42.750
Slopes <10 188.000 197.750 192.938 158.188
Cadastral Farm boundaries 38.813 33.938 33.563 25.125
Access More than 800m from a road 58.750 56.813 98.313 75.688
Other information # rural homesteads in servitude 2 2 1 2
# formal homesteads 1 1 1 1
# farm dams 1 1 1 0
# roads crossed 5 5 3 5
# bends in the route 16 18 19 11

Note: Units are in hectares unless indicated otherwise

the shortest of all the northern routes and it is likely
that the consideration of line length and, by implic a-
tion, economics had a major influence on the rec-
ommendation of the EIA study.
Identification of the optimum route on the basis of
the cost index provides no understanding of the im-
pact on individual attributes, or of the trade-offs
required between attributes when selecting one route
over another. Furthermore, the cost index is influ-
enced by the weighting accorded to factors, which is
acknowledged to be a subjective process.
This latter point will be addressed by means of a
sensitivity analysis discussed later in the paper.
However, it is possible to determine the impact of a
route on an attribute using area analysis as shown in
Table 3. Using the IDRISI module AREA, the area
of intersection of the buffered route (determined by
the required servitude) on a partic ular attribute is
computed.
Comparing the recommended route of the original
EIA (IH) with the best of the northern routes accord-
ing to cost index (IG), it is noted that Route IG has
no impact on wetlands, a lower impact on forestry
and cultivated lands other than sugar cane, and trav-
erses terrain with generally lower slope angles. On
the other hand, Route IH has a lower impact on in-
digenous forest, is more accessible and has fewer
bends.
The availability of this type of information
highlights the trade-offs that were made in an im-
plicit manner in the selection of a route prior to the
availability of this GIS information. Certainly, the
quantification of impacts in this manner makes
trade-offs far more explicit and makes a valuable
contribution to the decision-making process.
For Section II of the power line study between
Kranskop and Middledrift, six alternative routes
were identified, of which one was situated to the
north of the view site, The Kop, and the remainder
were routed to the south. The seventh route investi-
gated was that recommended by the original EIA.
Figure 4 displays four selected routes, the rest being
minor modifications of IIG in the area below the
escarpment.
Route IIA situated to the north of the view site,

Table 4. Costs of potential routes for Section II

Group Route Total Length Cost

cost (km) index

Northern IIA 56013 19.426 2.88

Southern IIB 63310 20.279 3.12
IIC 65494 20.571 3.18
IID 65055 20.717 3.14
IIE 63348 20.184 3.14
IIF 55873 18.573 3.01
Figure 4. Composite suitability surface for Section II of the Impact study IIG 65664 20.942 3.14
power line routing between SS2B (Kranskop) and
SS3 (Middledrift) showing four selected power Note: Cost is defined as 100-suitability the higher the cost,
line routes the lower the suitability

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002 45

Use of GIS in EIA of power line

Table 5: Route evaluation for Section II

Factor Attribute or Criterion Route IIA Route IIB Route IIF Route IIG

Land use Indigenous forest 0.125 7.500 2.625 11.000

Wetlands 0 0 3.563 0
Grassland 8.25 10.375 3.813 6.813
Sugar cane 16.938 0.188 12.375 6.375
Indigenous bushveld 189.938 208.938 183.000 205.063
Forestry 1.688 11.313 8.625 12.500
Aesthetics Visible and within 3 km of The Kop 43.500 0 0 0
Slope Slopes >20 3.375 10.375 11.938 11.813
Slopes 10-20 50.875 52.188 56.188 58.375
Slopes <10 172.063 179.438 146.438 175.250
Cadastral Farm boundaries 7.063 9.813 15.000 9.000
Access More than 800m from a road 152.813 167.250 128.813 143.938
Other information # rural homesteads 6 7 9 10
# roads crossed 6 3 3 3
# bends in the route 14 13 16 15

Note: Units are in hectares unless otherwise indicated.

The Kop, emerged as the route with the lowest cost varying the suitability of a particular attribute. For
index and Route IIG was the recommended route of example, one of the concerns evident in the impact
the original EIA (Table 4). Sections of Route IIA are study was the traversing of commercial forestry by
more than 3 km from an existing road making access the proposed power line. Widely divergent views on
difficult. The low weighting given to the access fac- the importance of commercial forestry were appar-
tor would account for the relatively low cost index ent, with landowners assigning it a very high ranking
of Route IIA despite its inaccessibility. compared with other I&APs.
Comparing the impacts of the Section II routes us- Hence, forestry emerged from the pairwise com-
ing area analysis, it is noted that Route IIG generally parison procedure and standardised routine, which
experie nces more impacts than the other routes and aimed to capture the collective ranking, with a suit-
hence it is surprising that it was the recommended ability of 83, with indigenous forest having a value
route of the EIA study (Table 5). If GIS analysis had of 35. Based on the premise that forestry might in-
been used in the orig inal EIA study, it is likely that a tuitively be expected to have a less suitable rating,
different alternative would have been recommended. the suitability of commercial forestry was reduced in
increments of 10 until it reached 35 (equivalent to
indigenous forest). Composite cost surfaces were
Sensitivity analysis calculated with the new values, and the total costs of
the selected routes re-evaluated.
Sensitivity tests were performed to gain some insight The changes caused no alteration in the ranking
into the effect of assigned weights on the MCE and of the routes until the last change (suitability = 35),
the ensuing cost analysis. This was achieved by when Route IH was ranked fifth, instead of eighth
(Table 6). Route IB was consistently the best overall
route for Section I. The order only changed when
Table 6. Section I routes ranked according to cost index for
varying forestry suitability values
Table 7. Section II routes ranked according to cost index for
varying forestry suitability values
Route Rank Forestry suitability
location order
Rank order Forestry suitability
83 73 63 35
83 73 63 35
South 1 IB IB IB IB
2 IA IA IA IA 1 IIA IIA IIA IIA
North 3 IG IG IG IG 2 IIF IIF IIF IIF
4 IF IF IF IF 3 IIB IIB IIB IIB
5 IE IE IE IH 4 IIG IIG IIG IIG
6 ID ID ID IE 5 IIE IID IID IID
7 IC IC IC IC 6 IID IIE IIE IIE
8 IH IH IH ID 7 IIC IIC IIC IIC

46 Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002


forestry was assigned the same suitability value as
indigenous forest.
Similarly, for Section II, Route IIA was consis-
tently the best route (Table 7). The ranking of routes
IID and IIE reversed when suitability was decreased
from 83 to 73, however, the rankings remained
consistent for further decreases in the suitability of
forestry. This is most likely a result of the small per-
centage of forestry occurring in Section II (4%).
Discussion and conclusion
GIS has been used to combine a number of factors
(layers) into a single composite surface, which has
facilitated comparison of alternative power line
routes and an evaluation of impacts on, inter alia ,
land-use types and environmentally sensitive areas.
Experience has been gained in the relative weighting
of factors and, through the sensitivity analysis, the
influence that the weights have on the final product.
Two sections of a power line route were consid-
ered. In both, the optimum route identified by the
GIS analysis differed from the recommended route
of the original EIA study. Indeed, for Section I the
original recommended route had the highest cost
index of all alternative routes. It was speculated that
the recommendation of the original EIA was influ-
enced by the strong collective opposition to addi-
tional power lines on their farms that was voiced by
the landowners.
The failure to incorporate I&AP views as a sepa-
rate factor in this GIS analysis was highlighted and
suggestions were made as to how they could be
incorporated in future. It was concluded that, if a
GIS analysis had been available at the time of the
original EIA, a different alternative would have been
recommended.
It is also possible to make some general observa-
tions about the feasibility of using GIS as a tool in
power line route selection. Transformation of data
into digital form and preparation for use in the GIS
are time-consuming tasks, confirming the experience
of other workers. Although IDRISI caters for the
transfer of data from other software packages, in
practice it was found that custom-designed software
was necessary at a number of stages. This is an im-
portant consideration when project deadlines are
short. However, time-consuming and complex man-
ual operations, such as viewshed analysis, which
was incorporated into the aesthetic layer, and the
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal March 2002
Use of GIS in EIA of power line
delineation of areas of unsuitably steep topography,
can be quickly and easily performed by a GIS.
Combining different technical, aesthetic, social
and environmental data requires subjective input and
professional judgement. The GIS package cannot
make decisions unaided but is a useful aid to deci-
sion-makers. By using the weighting procedure de-
scribed in this paper, adjustments can be readily
made and a sensitivity analysis performed. Alterna-
tive composite cost surfaces can be generated with
minimum effort, once the data set has been
established.
On balance, it appears that there are still a number
of problems limiting the application of GIS in EIAs.
Chief of these is the length of time involved in dig i-
tal data capture and the transfer of readily available
digital data to the format required. However, in the
absence of pressing time constraints and for very
large and important projects, it would seem that the
flexibility afforded by the GIS for generating alter-
native composite cost surfaces outweighs these
disadvantages.
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