Overview
KETCHIKAN INTL is a stormwater outfall in Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. It manages stormwater runoff from the airport and surrounding industrial areas under EPA NPDES MS4 regulations.
KETCHIKAN INTL is a stormwater outfall located in Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. This facility serves the Ketchikan International Airport and associated industrial activities, managing stormwater runoff to protect local water quality. As a stormwater outfall, it operates under the US EPA's NPDES MS4 permit framework, which regulates discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems. The facility is situated in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, a coastal region with significant rainfall. Stormwater outfalls in this area typically handle runoff from impervious surfaces such as runways, parking lots, and industrial facilities. The NAICS codes associated with this site (221320, 481111, 488111, 488119) indicate a mix of sewage treatment facilities, scheduled air transportation, and airport operations, suggesting the outfall manages runoff from both airport and municipal sources. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in preventing untreated stormwater from directly entering nearby water bodies. In Alaska, stormwater management is critical due to the sensitive aquatic ecosystems. The facility's compliance with NPDES permits helps mitigate impacts from urban and industrial runoff, supporting the overall health of the region's watersheds.
Environmental context
Ketchikan is located in the Tongass National Forest, a temperate rainforest with high annual precipitation. Stormwater runoff from airport and industrial areas can carry pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and sediment into nearby streams and marine waters. The facility's discharge point likely drains into the Tongass Narrows or other sensitive water bodies, making proper stormwater treatment essential for protecting salmon habitat and water quality.
Frequently asked questions
KETCHIKAN INTL is located in Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, at coordinates 55.357304, -131.709304. It serves the Ketchikan International Airport area.
This stormwater outfall manages runoff from the airport and surrounding industrial facilities, discharging treated stormwater in compliance with EPA NPDES MS4 permits to protect local water quality.
Stormwater outfalls in Alaska are regulated under the Clean Water Act through EPA's NPDES MS4 program. Phase I and Phase II permits require stormwater management plans, best management practices, and monitoring to reduce pollutant discharges.
The facility is associated with NAICS codes 221320 (Sewage Treatment Facilities), 481111 (Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation), 488111 (Air Traffic Control), and 488119 (Other Airport Operations), reflecting its role in airport and municipal stormwater management.
Stormwater outfalls can discharge pollutants like oil, grease, metals, and sediment into water bodies. Proper management reduces these impacts, protecting aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.
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