09-Oct-2003 -- I'm not sure where else to provide this information, as I didn't really attempt to get to this confluence.

I did, however, attempt to get permission to access the property on which this confluence lies, and I thought it would helpful to future hunters.

Based on information provided from the "coordinator," I emailed a representative of Alabama Power with this note:

Hello,

I am a student at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. I am writing to seek permission to take several photographs on property I believe to be owned by Alabama Power.

In trying to attain the goals of the Degree Confluence Project (http://confluence.org/index.php) I would like to visit N31° W088° which appears to be located on or near the James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant. An earlier attempt by another person to document this confluence was aborted due to private property signs. An aerial view of this confluence can be seen at here.

Coincidently, I believe the area of the confluence can be seen in the background of the photo of the Plant on this page

According to my research, I should be able to drive within roughly 300 yards of the confluence. The remaining distance will be covered on foot. The time spent at the confluence will be less than 10 minutes and consist of taking photographs in several directions, and one photograph of my GPS unit showing the coordinates. After that I will be leaving, and the photographs and accompanying narrative will be posted on the degree confluence website for public viewing.

I will be in the area from October 11-14, 2003. Please let me know if permission is required to access this site, and if necessary, from who I may obtain this permission.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call.

I received this reply:

Jamie Z:

I regret to inform you that we do not permit photographs to be taken on our property.

Hopefully, you will respect our wishes.

Sincerely,

External Affairs Manager

I wrote back:

Mr. ....,

Thank you for your quick reply.

I am sorry to hear the news, and will abide by your rules.

With regard to the prohibition on photography, I would like to propose a compromise. Could photographs be taken if I were accompanied by an employee, or if the employee were to take the photographs? The Degree Confluence has some flexibility when it comes to sensitive sites such as a power generating station. I would be willing to censor or limit the photographs to only those acceptable to your company.

Again, thank you for your time, and I hope we can make an arrangement acceptable to both of our interests.

Jamie

And recieved:

Due to heightened security measures we have taken in the wake of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we are not allowing any photos to be taken on our properties.

To which I thanked him and ended our correspondence.