Union Hill Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Project Stormwater Outfall, Fort Payne, Alabama

The Union Hill Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Project is a stormwater outfall facility located at 5211 Field Rd NE, Fort Payne, DeKalb County, Alabama. It serves as a key component in managing stormwater runoff from reclaimed mine lands, operating under the regulatory framework of the US EPA NPDES MS4 program, which governs stormwater discharges in urbanized areas and industrial sites. As a stormwater outfall, the facility collects and discharges runoff from the reclamation area, helping to control erosion and sedimentation. The project is part of Alabama's efforts to address legacy mining impacts, with the outfall designed to convey stormwater to receiving waters while minimizing pollutant loads. Typical stormwater outfalls in this region incorporate best management practices such as detention basins or vegetated swales to treat runoff. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its role in mitigating the effects of abandoned mine drainage, which can introduce heavy metals and acid mine drainage into local waterways. By managing stormwater from the reclaimed site, the project supports water quality in downstream ecosystems and aligns with Clean Water Act goals for restoring impaired waters.

The facility is located in the Appalachian region of Alabama, where abandoned coal and mineral mines have historically contributed to water quality degradation through acid mine drainage and sediment runoff. Stormwater outfalls in this context must address elevated levels of metals and acidity. The receiving waters likely drain into the Coosa River basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and is subject to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for pollutants like iron and manganese. Effective stormwater management at this site helps reduce pollutant loads and supports regional water quality restoration efforts.