Environmental impact assessment in the routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines : theory and practice in South Africa

This study resulted from a perception held by the author that more attention is afforded to complying with the procedural elements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in South Africa, than to ensuring the validity of its technical content. The routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines provides a relevant field of study in which to address this perception. An initial literature review to contextualise the perceived problem showed that the questionable validity of the technical content of EIA was one of six shortcomings identified. To address the problem, an inductive approach was adopted to focus on the interpretation and prediction activities of EIA and two propositions, stated as research questions for discussion, were developed. These referred to the theoretical question of whether methods are specified for high voltage overhead transmission line EIAs, and to the practical question of whether the environmental impacts that are known to result from transmission line projects are effectively addressed in such EIAs in South Africa. Investigating these questions provides insights into whether the technical content of transmission line EIA is sufficiently rigorous in South Africa. The method of study takes the form of a sequentially more focused examination of the literature on EIA, from the strategic level, to the sectoral level and culminating at the project level. EIA methods specified for linear developments were identified at the sectoral level, while at the project level the known environmental impacts that result from high voltage overhead transmission lines were determined. A theoretical background was compiled in this way, which allowed for comparison with the practice as determined from benchmark and case study Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Year dc:date.issued

1996

Author dc:creator

• Lawson, Allan Brett

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hill, Richard

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16103

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/16103