Hormel Foods Operations, LLC Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hormel Foods Operations, LLC operates a stormwater outfall located at 4020 Planters Road in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. This facility manages stormwater runoff from industrial food processing activities, including NAICS codes 311910 (snack food manufacturing), 311911 (roasted nuts and peanut butter manufacturing), and 493110 (general warehousing and storage). The outfall is part of the broader stormwater management infrastructure serving the Fort Smith urban area. As a stormwater outfall in the United States, this facility operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to EPA's NPDES MS4 permit program. Given its industrial catchment, the outfall likely requires compliance with sector-specific stormwater regulations, including the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants. The facility's location in an industrial zone may involve monitoring for typical contaminants such as suspended solids, oils, and nutrients. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing runoff from food processing operations, which can contribute organic loads and other pollutants to receiving waters. Proper stormwater management helps protect local water quality in the Arkansas River watershed. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements to minimize environmental impact.

Fort Smith is located in the Arkansas River Valley, where stormwater runoff from industrial areas can impact the Arkansas River and its tributaries. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall, increasing the potential for runoff-related pollution. Industrial catchments like this one require careful management to prevent contaminants such as organic matter, nutrients, and sediments from reaching water bodies, which could affect aquatic ecosystems and downstream water uses.