GIS Tools and Techniques for Environmental Assessment of

Pipeline Construction

GIS Tools and Techniques for Environmental Assessment of

Pipeline Construction

Erik DanielsonFebruary 27, 2007

Erik DanielsonFebruary 27, 2007

Environmental AssessmentEnvironmental Assessment

Pipeline construction or replacement ESIA/FERC projects

GIS & GPS tools & techniques●Environmental field surveys●Data integration● Impacts analysis●Mapping

Pipeline construction or replacement ESIA/FERC projects

GIS & GPS tools & techniques●Environmental field surveys●Data integration● Impacts analysis●Mapping

Data CollectionData Collection

Garbage in, Garbage outKnow the Coordinate System for the project!●UTM? Stateplane?●Meters? Feet (International or U.S. feet?)

Best available data / most practical data

Garbage in, Garbage outKnow the Coordinate System for the project!●UTM? Stateplane?●Meters? Feet (International or U.S. feet?)

Best available data / most practical data

GPS Field Data CollectionGPS Field Data Collection

Establish a protocolSub-meter horizontal positioning

Establish a protocolSub-meter horizontal positioning

GPS Field Data CollectionGPS Field Data Collection

Establish a protocolSub-meter horizontal positioningStandardized data dictionary● Must be identical for

multiple crews

Establish a protocolSub-meter horizontal positioningStandardized data dictionary● Must be identical for

multiple crews

GPS Field Data CollectionGPS Field Data Collection

All features require a unique identifier 8-12 character FEATURE_ID FNNCCXXX● F = Feature Type● NN = Team Number● CC = County code● XXX = Feature number (001- 999 for each county)

All features require a unique identifier 8-12 character FEATURE_ID FNNCCXXX● F = Feature Type● NN = Team Number● CC = County code● XXX = Feature number (001- 999 for each county)

Example: the FEATURE_ID for team # 2B’s thirteenth wetland for Scotland County would be

W2BSC013

GPS Field Data CollectionGPS Field Data Collection

Ancillary Facility (i.e., Access Roads, Pipeyard, Pump House, etc.)

700

Single line where width<10’(i.e., ditch/stream)600

Transition500

Inclusion400

Side300

Exit/Egress200

Enter/Ingress100

DescriptionFlag Series

GPS Field Data Review & EditingGPS Field Data Review & Editing

Data review & correction each dayBiologist must review and approve all points, lines, and attributesDifferential correctionEditing

Data review & correction each dayBiologist must review and approve all points, lines, and attributesDifferential correctionEditing

Post ProcessingPost Processing

Check data in Trimble Pathfinder OfficeExport to shape files●Check settings & coordinate system ●Use the same settings every timeMaintain a list of all GPS rover files received from the field crewsPrint maps of all raw data for team review

Check data in Trimble Pathfinder OfficeExport to shape files●Check settings & coordinate system ●Use the same settings every timeMaintain a list of all GPS rover files received from the field crewsPrint maps of all raw data for team review

Post ProcessingPost Processing

Merge data setsDeliver data to project engineers

Merge data setsDeliver data to project engineers

Prepare Engineering DataPrepare Engineering Data

Data required from project engineers:● Centerline & mileposts● Construction Right-of-way (ROW)

Permanent WorkspaceTemporary WorkspaceAdditional Temporary Workspace (ATWS)

● Above Ground FacilitiesPipe yards, contractor yards, warehouses, meter stations, compressor stations

● Access Roads● Aerial Photography

Data required from project engineers:● Centerline & mileposts● Construction Right-of-way (ROW)

Permanent WorkspaceTemporary WorkspaceAdditional Temporary Workspace (ATWS)

● Above Ground FacilitiesPipe yards, contractor yards, warehouses, meter stations, compressor stations

● Access Roads● Aerial Photography

Prepare Engineering DataPrepare Engineering Data

Load Engineering Data into ArcMapLoad Engineering Data into ArcMap

Create a route from centerlineCreate a route from centerline

Prepare Engineering DataPrepare Engineering Data

Construction ROW / Facility BoundariesConstruction ROW / Facility Boundaries

Pipeline Route

Construction WorkspacePermanent

Temporary

ATWS

Facility

Impacts AnalysisImpacts Analysis

T&E (Threatened & Endangered) SpeciesWater CrossingsWetlandsLand UseSoilsGeologyCultural ResourcesProtected/Conservation lands

T&E (Threatened & Endangered) SpeciesWater CrossingsWetlandsLand UseSoilsGeologyCultural ResourcesProtected/Conservation lands

Linear Referencing ToolsLinear Referencing Tools

T&E Species AnalysisT&E Species Analysis

Problem:●Determine milepost, distance and direction for

all species locations along the pipeline.

Solution:● Linear referencing tools in ArcMap

Problem:●Determine milepost, distance and direction for

all species locations along the pipeline.

Solution:● Linear referencing tools in ArcMap

T&E Species AnalysisT&E Species Analysis

T&E Species AnalysisT&E Species Analysis

Wetlands AnalysisWetlands Analysis

Problem: Calculate acres of wetlands impacted by proposed pipeline construction corridor within each county

Problem: Calculate acres of wetlands impacted by proposed pipeline construction corridor within each county

Wetlands AnalysisWetlands Analysis

Process Steps: Conduct “Intersect” of Wetlands, Construction Workspace, and County layer

Process Steps: Conduct “Intersect” of Wetlands, Construction Workspace, and County layer

Wetlands AnalysisWetlands Analysis

Process Steps: Database file (DBF) of wetland polygons within corridorProcess Steps: Database file (DBF) of wetland polygons within corridor

Wetlands AnalysisWetlands Analysis

Solution: Load DBF file into Excel and create pivot table reportSolution: Load DBF file into Excel and create pivot table report

Soils AnalysisSoils AnalysisProblem: Report soil characteristics by milepost for entire pipeline routeProblem: Report soil characteristics by milepost for entire pipeline route

Mapping UnitSoil Series and Percent ComponentDrainage ClassSurface TextureRange of SlopesSoil Erodibility Factor High Compaction Potential Hydric SoilsHighly Erodible SoilLow Revegetation PotentialPrime Farmland Soils

Mapping UnitSoil Series and Percent ComponentDrainage ClassSurface TextureRange of SlopesSoil Erodibility Factor High Compaction Potential Hydric SoilsHighly Erodible SoilLow Revegetation PotentialPrime Farmland Soils

Soils AnalysisSoils Analysis

Solution: Microsoft Access & Model BuilderSolution: Microsoft Access & Model Builder

MappingMappingProblem: Create maps along a 700 mile Pipeline Route on Aerial background.Solution: Map Book Script

Problem: Create maps along a 700 mile Pipeline Route on Aerial background.Solution: Map Book Script

MappingMapping

Additional GIS workAdditional GIS workInitial route selection / desktop analysisAlternatives analysisCo-location statisticsLand usePopulation & social impacts analysisWater resource studies & risk analysisCultural resourcesPost construction monitoringPublic outreach efforts

Initial route selection / desktop analysisAlternatives analysisCo-location statisticsLand usePopulation & social impacts analysisWater resource studies & risk analysisCultural resourcesPost construction monitoringPublic outreach efforts

Questions? Questions?

Erik Danielsonedanielson@watershedconcepts.com

617-482-4930 x4761

Erik Danielsonedanielson@watershedconcepts.com

617-482-4930 x4761