RALPH SCRAP METALS LLC Stormwater Outfall, Augusta, Arkansas

RALPH SCRAP METALS LLC is a stormwater outfall facility located at 1118 Highway 64 East in Augusta, Arkansas, within Woodruff County. The facility is operational and serves as a point of discharge for stormwater runoff from industrial scrap metal processing and recycling activities. As a stormwater outfall, it is subject to the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework, which governs stormwater discharges from industrial facilities. The facility operates under NAICS codes 331420 (Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and Alloying), 423930 (Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers), and 425120 (Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers), indicating a mix of metal processing and recycling operations. In the United States, industrial stormwater outfalls like this one are typically regulated under the NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) or individual permits, requiring implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants. Located in eastern Arkansas, the facility's stormwater discharges may affect local waterways in the Mississippi River basin. The environmental significance lies in managing runoff from scrap metal operations, which can contain heavy metals, oils, and other pollutants. Proper stormwater management helps protect water quality in receiving streams, supporting both ecological health and downstream uses. The facility's compliance with NPDES requirements is critical for minimizing environmental impact.

The facility is situated in Augusta, Arkansas, within the Mississippi River watershed, where stormwater runoff from industrial scrap metal operations can carry pollutants such as heavy metals, sediment, and hydrocarbons. The region's climate, with seasonal rainfall and potential for intense storms, increases the risk of runoff events. Regulatory oversight under the Clean Water Act and NPDES MS4 permits aims to control these discharges to protect local water bodies, which may be impaired or sensitive to industrial pollution.