ARKANSAS SPECIALTY SANDS, LLC Stormwater Outfall, Black Rock, Arkansas

ARKANSAS SPECIALTY SANDS, LLC is an operational stormwater outfall facility located at 85 Lawrence County Road 205 in Black Rock, Arkansas, within Lawrence County. The facility manages stormwater runoff from industrial activities associated with NAICS code 212322 (Industrial Sand Mining). As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected stormwater into local waterways, operating under the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES MS4 permit program. In Arkansas, stormwater discharges from industrial facilities are typically regulated under the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which administers the NPDES program. Facilities like this one are required to obtain coverage under a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) or an individual permit, with requirements for stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and monitoring of effluent limits. The facility's location in a rural area of Lawrence County suggests potential impacts on nearby streams or the Black River watershed. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing stormwater quality from industrial sand mining operations. Proper stormwater management helps prevent sediment, metals, and other pollutants from entering local water bodies. The facility contributes to the community by ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and protecting water resources in the region.

The facility is situated in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain ecoregion, characterized by flat terrain and agricultural land use. Stormwater runoff from industrial sites in this area can carry sediment, nutrients, and industrial pollutants into nearby streams, which may eventually reach the Black River. The region's clay-rich soils and seasonal heavy rainfall increase the risk of erosion and runoff. Effective stormwater management is critical to protect aquatic habitats and downstream water quality.