SUTTON LUMBER, INC. Stormwater Outfall in Amity, Arkansas

SUTTON LUMBER, INC. is a stormwater outfall located at 106 Coker Road in Amity, Clark County, Arkansas, United States. The facility is operational and serves as a discharge point for stormwater runoff from an industrial lumber operation, classified under NAICS code 321113 (Sawmills). As a stormwater outfall, it is subject to the US EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting framework, specifically under the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial activities. The facility operates within the regulatory context of the Clean Water Act, which requires industrial stormwater discharges to be covered by an NPDES permit. The MSGP mandates implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and best management practices (BMPs) to control pollutants. In Arkansas, the Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) oversees compliance. The outfall likely discharges to a nearby waterbody, with monitoring requirements for parameters such as total suspended solids, pH, and oil and grease. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its potential impact on local water quality. Industrial stormwater runoff from lumber operations can carry sediment, wood debris, and chemical residues. Proper management through BMPs such as sediment basins, vegetative buffers, and spill prevention is critical to protect receiving waters. The facility's location in rural Clark County underscores the importance of balancing industrial activity with water resource protection.

The outfall is located in Clark County, Arkansas, a region characterized by forested landscapes and agricultural activity. The local hydrology includes tributaries of the Ouachita River, which are sensitive to sediment and pollutant loading from industrial runoff. Stormwater discharges from lumber operations can introduce suspended solids, organic matter, and potential chemical contaminants, necessitating effective erosion and sediment control measures. The area's climate, with seasonal rainfall patterns, influences runoff volumes and the effectiveness of stormwater management practices.