Today I spoke with Jean Calhoun of the Arizona Chapter of The Nature  Conservancy about the proposed Sundevil Pipeline Construction Project.
She  was very cordial and appreciative concerning Transwestern's proactive efforts  to contact not only her office but all federal and state agencies  which may  have jurisdictional lands impacted by the project.
Although the proposed  route of the pipeline corridor has not been firmly established, she did   offer some general, yet valuable information concerning the geographic area  which exists south of Flagstaff into roughly northern Phoenix.
The area south of Flagstaff into Phoenix crosses of three major ecological  regions identified by the TNC with major biological diversity of plants and  animals.
The TNC has completed published studies on two of the regions.
The  TNC has requested that should this project be apporved, these publications be  used to assist in the environmental studies which will need to be completed  prior to construction and approval by FERC.
To the south and east of  Flagstaff is a sensitive portfolio consisting of the Verde River which is of  ecologic interest due to the abundance of endangered fish and bird species  which live in and around the area of the River.
This river could be  impacted by the pipeline due to its meandering in a southwesterly direction  across Arizona.
I have contacted other state and federal governmental agencies, in addition  to the TNC, and all parties have expressed difficulity in assessing the  environmental impact of a project of this magnitude without knowing the  pipeline corridor route.
Part of this concern is due to the extensive and  unique biological diversity of Arizona.
I think we will have a better handle  on how we address the environmental concerns and opportunities when this  piece of the puzzle is completed and also how much more specific and helpful  the agencies assistance will be when identified areas are known.

Phone Conversation with TNC