S&S AGGREGATE Stormwater Outfall, Haines, Alaska | United States

S&S AGGREGATE is a stormwater outfall located at Mile 6.5 Haines Highway in Haines, Alaska, United States. The facility is operational and serves as a point of discharge for stormwater runoff, likely from an aggregate mining or processing site given its NAICS code 212321 (Construction Sand and Gravel Mining). As a stormwater outfall, it is subject to the Clean Water Act and the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, which regulates discharges to surface waters. The facility operates in the small municipality of Haines, Alaska, which is a Phase II small MS4 community under the NPDES program. This means it must implement a stormwater management program to reduce pollutant discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The outfall likely discharges to a nearby water body, potentially the Chilkat River or a tributary, which are important for local salmon runs. Environmental significance includes the potential impact on aquatic ecosystems in the Haines Borough area. Stormwater from aggregate operations can carry sediment, heavy metals, and other pollutants. The facility's location in a remote, ecologically sensitive region underscores the importance of proper stormwater management to protect water quality and fish habitat.

The facility is located in Haines, Alaska, a coastal community in the Tongass National Forest region. The area is characterized by temperate rainforest, steep terrain, and numerous salmon-bearing streams. Stormwater runoff from aggregate operations can introduce sediment and pollutants into these sensitive aquatic habitats, potentially affecting spawning grounds and water quality. The facility's discharge likely flows into the Chilkat River system, which supports major runs of Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon.