QANIRTUUQ GRAVEL COMPANY Stormwater Outfall, Quinhagak, Alaska

QANIRTUUQ GRAVEL COMPANY is a stormwater outfall located at 100 Qanirtuuq Dr in Quinhagak, Alaska, United States. This facility operates within the Bethel Census Area and manages stormwater discharge from a gravel extraction and processing site. As a stormwater outfall, it is subject to the US EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework, which regulates point source discharges to waters of the United States. The facility's primary function is to collect and discharge stormwater runoff from the industrial gravel operation. Under the Clean Water Act, such industrial stormwater discharges are typically authorized under an NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) or an individual permit. The specific permit conditions would address best management practices for erosion and sediment control, as well as monitoring requirements for pollutants commonly associated with mining and material handling activities. Located in the remote Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, this outfall discharges into local receiving waters that may support subsistence fisheries and sensitive aquatic habitats. The facility's environmental significance lies in its potential impact on water quality in a region where many communities rely on local water resources for drinking and traditional uses. Proper stormwater management at this site helps protect downstream ecosystems and community water supplies.

The facility is situated in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, a vast wetland region with numerous rivers, lakes, and coastal habitats. The area supports important subsistence fisheries for salmon and other species. Stormwater discharges from industrial sites like gravel operations can carry sediment, metals, and other pollutants that may impact water quality and aquatic life. The remote location and cold climate present unique challenges for stormwater management, including permafrost considerations and limited infrastructure.