Granite Mountain Quarry Plant #3 Stormwater Outfall, Bauxite, Arkansas

Granite Mountain Quarry Plant #3 is a stormwater outfall located at 2300 County Road 2 in Bauxite, Saline County, Arkansas, United States. This facility is part of the stormwater management infrastructure for a quarry operation, classified under NAICS 212312 (Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining and Quarrying). As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected runoff from the quarry site into local waterways. The facility operates under the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, which regulates stormwater discharges from industrial activities, including mining and quarrying. In Arkansas, the Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality oversees compliance with the Clean Water Act. Stormwater outfalls at quarry sites typically manage runoff from exposed surfaces, stockpiles, and equipment areas, requiring best management practices to control sediment and pollutant loads. Environmental significance lies in the facility's role in managing stormwater runoff from a quarry operation, which can impact nearby water bodies through sedimentation and potential contaminants. Proper operation helps protect local watersheds in Saline County, an area with mixed land use including mining, agriculture, and residential development. The facility's discharge point and compliance status are key factors in assessing its environmental footprint.

The facility is located in Saline County, Arkansas, within the Ouachita River basin. Quarry operations can generate stormwater runoff with elevated sediment loads, which may affect local streams and aquatic habitats. The region's climate, with seasonal rainfall patterns, influences runoff volumes and pollutant transport. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act requires the facility to implement erosion and sediment control measures to minimize environmental impact.