Land use in the vicinity is primarily agricultural. The site is situated on a broad ridge, with most of the installation lying between two perennial streams-Captain Creek on the west and Kill Creek on the east. The SWMUs are comprised of a diverse group of sources, including surface impoundments, ditches, sumps, projectile ranges, burning grounds, and landfills. Therefore, all five of the sources are associated with the same operational mission. Samples of surface water and sediment collected during the RI from Kill Creek downstream of the site revealed elevated levels of mercury and arsenic.
People fish in Kill Creek downstream of the site.
Kill Creek is also a habitat used by an endangered fish species, the pallid sturgeon, and a State-designated threatened species, the flathead chub. In addition to periodic investigations initiated by AEHA and the U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency, the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant facility has been subject to periodic RCRA activities, including groundwater monitoring assessments, an operation and maintenance inspection, a comprehensive monitoring evaluation, and a RCRA facility assessment. Throughout the operational history of the facility, various liquid discharges have been permitted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. In 1971, an accidental release of ammonia to Kill Creek resulted in a fish kill, and EPA levied a fine against the facility. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.