Cape Nome Quarry Stormwater Outfall, Nome, Alaska | United States

Cape Nome Quarry is a stormwater outfall facility located at Mile 12 of the Nome Council Highway in Nome, Alaska. It serves an industrial quarry operation in a remote Arctic region, managing stormwater runoff from the site. The facility is operational and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program for stormwater discharges associated with industrial activities. As a stormwater outfall, the facility is subject to NPDES permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, which mandate the implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to control pollutants in runoff. The quarry's stormwater management likely includes best management practices such as sediment basins, erosion controls, and regular monitoring to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its location in the Arctic region of Alaska, where sensitive ecosystems and permafrost conditions require careful stormwater management. Proper operation helps protect local water bodies, including the Bering Sea, from sediment and potential contaminants associated with quarrying activities. The facility contributes to the sustainable management of stormwater in a challenging climate.

The Cape Nome Quarry stormwater outfall is located in the Arctic region of Alaska, an area characterized by permafrost, fragile tundra ecosystems, and short growing seasons. Stormwater runoff from industrial sites like quarries can carry sediment, heavy metals, and other pollutants that may impact nearby streams and the Bering Sea. The facility operates under NPDES regulations that require controls to minimize erosion and sedimentation, protecting the local environment from degradation.