GERDAU MACSTEEL - FORT SMITH PLANT: Primary Metal Facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas

GERDAU MACSTEEL - FORT SMITH PLANT is a primary metal facility located at 5225 PLANTERS RD, Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. The plant is operational and classified under multiple NAICS codes including 331110 (iron and steel mills) and 331111 (steel foundries), indicating a focus on steel production and processing. As part of the Gerdau group, it is a significant industrial operation in the region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces multi-media environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Given its primary metal sector, the plant likely involves energy-intensive processes like electric arc furnaces or basic oxygen furnaces, with emissions controls required under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for steel mills. This plant plays a key role in the local industrial economy of Fort Smith, providing steel products for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Its environmental significance stems from potential emissions of particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and metal-containing waste, which are managed through permits and reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The facility's proximity to the Arkansas River and urban areas necessitates careful environmental management.

Fort Smith is located in the Arkansas River Valley, with a humid subtropical climate. The area hosts a mix of manufacturing and agricultural activities. For primary metal facilities like this one, key environmental concerns include air emissions of particulate matter and heavy metals, water usage and discharge, and solid waste generation. The plant's location near the Arkansas River requires compliance with Clean Water Act permits to protect water quality. Community proximity adds importance to odor and noise management.