Fort Smith Railroad Co LLC Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith Railroad Co LLC is a stormwater outfall facility located at 22 West B Street in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The facility is operational and manages stormwater runoff from railroad operations, classified under NAICS code 482112 (Short Line Railroads). As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected runoff into local waterways, subject to regulatory oversight. The facility operates under the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit framework. In Arkansas, the Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality administers these permits. The outfall likely serves an industrial catchment area associated with railroad activities, requiring best management practices to control pollutants such as sediments, oils, and heavy metals common in rail yard runoff. Environmental significance includes potential impacts on receiving waters in the Arkansas River basin. Stormwater discharges from industrial facilities can affect water quality if not properly managed. The facility's compliance with permit conditions and implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans are critical for protecting local aquatic ecosystems and meeting Clean Water Act goals.

Fort Smith is located in the Arkansas River Valley, a region with a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters, with average annual precipitation around 45 inches. Stormwater runoff from industrial areas like railroad facilities can carry pollutants such as sediments, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons into nearby water bodies, including the Arkansas River. The area's clay soils and urban development increase runoff volumes, making stormwater management important for flood control and water quality protection.