Fort Smith Municipal Airport Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith Municipal Airport operates a stormwater outfall located at 6700 McKennon Blvd., Suite 200, Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. This facility manages stormwater runoff from airport infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, and parking areas, to prevent flooding and control pollutant discharge. As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) serving the airport and surrounding areas. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES MS4 permits. Phase II MS4 requirements apply to small municipalities like Fort Smith, mandating stormwater management programs to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The airport's stormwater system likely includes best management practices such as detention basins, oil-water separators, and vegetative swales to treat runoff before discharge. Stormwater management at airports is critical to prevent contamination from deicing fluids, fuel spills, and sediment runoff. The facility's discharge may flow to local water bodies, including the Arkansas River, which is a major regional waterway. Proper operation helps protect water quality and aquatic habitats in the region.

The facility discharges stormwater from an airport catchment, which may contain pollutants such as deicing chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and sediment. The receiving waters likely include tributaries of the Arkansas River, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and drinking water. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act requires the facility to implement pollution prevention measures to minimize impacts on these water bodies.