TERRA FIRST LLC Stormwater Outfall, Vernon, Alabama | United States

TERRA FIRST LLC is a stormwater outfall located at 44080 Highway 17 South in Vernon, Lamar County, Alabama, United States. The facility is operational and manages stormwater discharge from industrial activities classified under NAICS codes 484121 (General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload) and 484230 (Specialized Freight Trucking). As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the broader network of facilities regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. In the United States, stormwater outfalls are subject to the Clean Water Act and NPDES permitting, particularly under the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) framework for urban areas and industrial stormwater permits for facilities like TERRA FIRST LLC. The facility's location in Vernon, a small town in rural Alabama, suggests that its stormwater management focuses on industrial runoff control rather than large municipal systems. The NAICS codes indicate involvement in freight trucking, which may involve vehicle maintenance, fueling, and storage areas that require stormwater pollution prevention. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing runoff from industrial operations, helping to prevent pollutants such as oil, grease, and sediment from entering local waterways. Proper operation and maintenance of stormwater controls are essential to protect water quality in the surrounding region, which may drain to the Tombigbee River basin. Compliance with NPDES permit conditions ensures that the facility minimizes its impact on downstream water bodies.

The facility is located in Lamar County, Alabama, a rural area with mixed agricultural and industrial land use. Stormwater runoff from industrial sites like TERRA FIRST LLC can carry pollutants such as sediment, oil, and heavy metals into nearby streams and rivers. The region's water bodies may be sensitive to such discharges, particularly during heavy rainfall events. Effective stormwater management is critical to protect local aquatic ecosystems and comply with Clean Water Act requirements.