Tyson Foods - Fort Smith Processing Stormwater Outfall | Fort Smith, Arkansas

Tyson Foods - Fort Smith Processing is a stormwater outfall located at 1610 Midland Blvd in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States. The facility is operational and manages stormwater discharge from a food processing plant, with NAICS codes 311613 (rendering and meat byproduct processing) and 311615 (poultry processing). As a stormwater outfall, it is part of the broader stormwater management infrastructure in the region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act and the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program. In Arkansas, stormwater discharges from industrial facilities like food processing plants are typically regulated under NPDES industrial stormwater permits, which require implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and best management practices to control runoff. The environmental significance of this outfall lies in its role in managing stormwater runoff from an industrial food processing site. Such facilities can generate pollutants including organic matter, nutrients, and sediments. Proper stormwater management helps protect local water bodies, such as the Arkansas River, from potential contamination. The outfall contributes to the community's stormwater infrastructure by controlling the quality and quantity of runoff from the facility.

Fort Smith is located in the Arkansas River Valley, with the Arkansas River flowing nearby. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate with significant rainfall, making stormwater management critical. Industrial stormwater discharges from food processing facilities can contain pollutants like organic waste, nutrients, and suspended solids. Effective management through NPDES permits and SWPPPs helps protect the Arkansas River and its tributaries from impairment.