PETERSON MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING FACILITY Stormwater Outfall, Fort Smith, Arkansas

PETERSON MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING FACILITY is a stormwater outfall located at 3990 Ayers Rd, Fort Smith, Arkansas, within Sebastian County. The facility serves an industrial catchment associated with chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325180, 325211, 325998) and operates under the US EPA NPDES MS4 permit framework, which regulates stormwater discharges from industrial facilities to protect water quality. As an industrial stormwater outfall, the facility is subject to the Clean Water Act and Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment oversight. Typical stormwater management at such sites includes best management practices (BMPs) like sediment basins, oil-water separators, and spill prevention controls to treat runoff before discharge. The facility's location in the Arkansas River watershed means discharges may affect downstream water bodies. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing industrial stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants such as heavy metals, oils, and chemicals. Proper operation helps prevent contamination of local waterways and supports compliance with water quality standards. The facility contributes to the broader stormwater infrastructure in Fort Smith, a city with a mix of urban and industrial land uses.

The facility discharges stormwater from an industrial catchment in Fort Smith, Arkansas, which lies within the Arkansas River watershed. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with frequent rainfall, increasing the potential for runoff-related pollution. Industrial stormwater can contain pollutants like suspended solids, metals, and organic chemicals, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems if untreated. Regulatory oversight under the NPDES MS4 program aims to minimize these impacts through site-specific controls and monitoring.