HILAND DAIRY FOODS Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

HILAND DAIRY FOODS is a stormwater outfall located at 415 South 10th Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas, within Sebastian County. This facility manages stormwater runoff from a dairy processing site, classified under NAICS code 311511 for fluid milk manufacturing. As a stormwater outfall, it discharges collected runoff into local waterways, operating under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and EPA's NPDES MS4 permit program. The facility's stormwater management involves controlling runoff from an industrial catchment area typical of food processing operations. In Arkansas, stormwater discharges from industrial facilities are regulated under the EPA's NPDES program, requiring permits that address pollution prevention and best management practices. The site's location in an urban area of Fort Smith means its discharge may be subject to municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) requirements. Environmental significance centers on the potential impact of dairy processing runoff on receiving waters. Stormwater from food processing facilities can contain organic materials, nutrients, and other pollutants that may affect water quality. The outfall's discharge point likely drains to the Arkansas River watershed, which supports regional aquatic ecosystems and downstream water uses. Proper stormwater management helps protect local water resources from industrial runoff impacts.

Fort Smith lies in the Arkansas River Valley, where stormwater runoff from industrial facilities like dairy processing can introduce nutrients, organic matter, and sediments into local waterways. The region's climate, with frequent rainfall and occasional heavy storms, increases the risk of pollutant transport. Discharges from this outfall may ultimately reach the Arkansas River, which supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and water supply. Effective stormwater management is critical to prevent degradation of these water bodies.