ARK BEST CORP Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

ARK BEST CORP is a stormwater outfall located at 5600 Airport Blvd., Fort Smith, Arkansas, within Sebastian County. The facility is operational and serves an industrial catchment area, as indicated by its NAICS code 481219 (Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation). As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the broader stormwater management infrastructure regulated under the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program. In Arkansas, stormwater discharges are regulated by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which implements the NPDES program. The facility likely operates under a general permit for industrial stormwater discharges, requiring compliance with monitoring and best management practices to control pollutants. The outfall discharges stormwater runoff from the airport and associated industrial activities into local receiving waters. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential impact on nearby water bodies. Stormwater runoff from industrial areas can carry pollutants such as sediment, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons. Proper management and treatment are essential to protect water quality in the Arkansas River basin, which is a major water resource for the region. The facility's compliance with permit conditions helps mitigate these risks.

Fort Smith is located in the Arkansas River Valley, where the Arkansas River is a major waterway. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall, leading to substantial stormwater runoff. Industrial stormwater discharges, such as from ARK BEST CORP, can introduce pollutants like oil, grease, and heavy metals into local streams and the Arkansas River. The Arkansas DEQ enforces stormwater regulations to protect these water bodies, which are used for drinking water, recreation, and aquatic habitat.