Client: Edwards Air Force Base, California The Piute Ponds ecosystem is one of the largest freshwater marshes in Los Angeles County. These marshes support a diversity of wildlife, including federally and state listed species, and California species of concern. The ponds are located in the Antelope Valley, a topographically closed basin within the western part of the Mojave Desert Province. The ecosystem includes Rosamond Dry Lake and a portion of Amargosa Creek, and is located on Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) property. These wetlands are augmented by water from the Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant (LWRP) treatment facility operated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District 14 (District 14). The LWRP’s service area of over 160,000 people includes the City of Lancaster, parts of the city of Palmdale, and outlying areas. Additionally, the plant is expected to increase capacity by the year 2020 due to rapid growth in the Antelope Valley. Changes in the amount of treated effluent discharged to Piute Ponds and ultimately Rosamond Dry Lake are likely to occur. Protecting and enhancing this rare ecological area requires balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, while efficiently allocating scarce natural and financial resources. Accurately projecting future ecological requirements, stakeholder needs, and urban encroachment pressures is necessary to properly develop management approaches. Analysis of current and anticipated requirements of Piute Ponds Ecological Area will be used by Edwards AFB to make management decisions and prepare long-term budgets. Developing a management plan for the future is essential to preserving and enhancing this valuable resource. Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Management Recommendations for Piute Ponds