1 of 12

Richard Schmidt

October 11, 2023

UWF GIS5050/L

FPL Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line Project

2 of 12

Project Background and Objectives

In November 2006 a proposed route for Florida Power & Light’s Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Line Project was established after a route selection process was completed involving data analysis and public input. What many people are unaware of is that considerations for the final proposed route were finalized as a result of GIS analysis.

​

Objectives

  • Define and quantify environmentally sensitive lands potentially impacted.
  • Quantify homes and parcels within proximity of proposed corridor.
  • Define schools within proximity of proposed corridor.
  • Quantify length and cost of the transmission line.

​

​

​

​

​

3 of 12

Cartographic Model

  • Presents problem statement.
  • Defines previously stated goals and objectives.
  • Lists potential datasets needed for analysis.
  • Describes employed analysis procedures/tools.
  • Describes cartographic products resulting from GIS analysis.

​

​

4 of 12

Feature Classes Provided

  • The graphic to the right shows a list of initial feature classes provided as a baseline for conducting the GIS analysis.

​

  • Additional feature classes were then created from these datasets using GIS analysis tools.

​

​

5 of 12

Map Projection

  • Provided feature classes were projected in Albers Conical Equal Area but were then reprojected using the project tool to NAD 1983 (2011) StatePlane Florida West FIPS 0902 (US Feet).

​

  • NAD 1983 (2011) StatePlane Florida West FIPS 0902 (US Feet) was chosen because it provides a more localized projection considering the study area size.

​

​

​

​

​

6 of 12

Objective #1: �Environmental Analysis

Tools used for analysis:

  • Intersect tool
  • Calculate geometry
  • Select by attribute
  • Statistics

​

Results:

  • Total Conservation Land within study area = 10,395 acres.
  • Total Conservation Land within Preferred Corridor = 163.43 acres.
  • Total Wetlands & Uplands within Preferred Corridor = 6,566 acres.
  • Total Wetlands within Preferred Corridor = 902 acres.

​

Conservation Areas Impacted

  • Heritage Ranch Conservation Easement
  • Lake Manatee State Park
  • Lake Manatee Lower Watershed

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

7 of 12

Objective #2A: �Homes Analysis

Tools used for analysis:

  • Buffer tool
  • Digitizing/Create Feature Class
  • Select by Attribute
  • Clip tool

​

Results:

  • Total homes within Preferred Corridor = 17
  • Total homes within 400 ft Buffer = 36

​

​

​

​

​

​

8 of 12

Objective #2B: �Parcel Analysis

Tools used for analysis:

  • Intersect tool

​

Results:

  • Manatee County Parcels within Preferred Corridor = 132
  • Manatee Parcels within 400 ft Buffer = 202

​

  • Sarasota County Parcels within Preferred Corridor = 32
  • Sarasota County Parcels within 400 ft Buffer = 55

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

9 of 12

Objective #3: �Schools Analysis

Tools used for analysis:

  • Geocoding
  • Select by location
  • Create Address Locator

​

Results:

  • No schools within Preferred Corridor or 400 ft Buffer.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

10 of 12

Objective #4: �Transmission Line Analysis

Tools used for analysis:

  • Create Feature Class
  • Digitizing
  • Calculate geometry

​

Results:

  • Length of Transmission Line = Approx. 24.84 miles
  • Cost of Transmission Line = Approx. $70,048,800
  • Baseline cost per mile $940,000 x 24.84 x (urban factor) 1.5 x (line length factor) 2 = $70,048,000

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

11 of 12

​

After conducting a GIS analysis, I think the benefits outweigh the risks involved with the transmission line project. Although the potential for concern as it relates to radiation and cancer risk while living in proximity to power lines cannot be taken lightly according to cancer.gov., the number of homes affected (53) is relatively low and zero schools are in immediate proximity. Overall, the proposed corridor poses a minimal threat to environmentally sensitive lands, wildlife/ecosystems, and the local population. All things considered I believe the proposed route is both feasible and beneficial as it pertains to increasing reliability for a rising population.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

12 of 12

References

​

Electromagnetic fields and cancer. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet#what-have-studies-shown-about-possible-associations-between-non-ionizing-emfs-and-cancer-in-children