Dear Cambrians,

We want to provide you with an important update regarding our Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) project and the recent response from the County of San Luis Obispo. As part of the Coastal Development Permit review process, the County has issued what is called an “information hold,” which means they need additional technical documentation and clarification before they can move forward. While the request includes many detailed items, we want to assure you that this is a standard part of the permitting process, not a setback.

In response to the County’s request, our professional engineers and environmental consultants are already working to address the items outlined. We are confident that we can provide the needed information promptly and completely. The County is asking for a more detailed project description and a full site plan that shows both the facilities installed under the original emergency permit and those now proposed for permanent installation. This includes identifying the exact location of four proposed brine storage tanks and providing updated engineering drawings and project maps. They’ve also asked us to quantify the expected earthwork, how much land will be graded or disturbed, especially around areas like the new advanced water treatment plant, pipelines, and the reconstructed pond. We’ve been asked to include drainage plans and cut/fill calculations to better understand the scope of soil movement across the site.

Roadway improvements were also flagged, and the County has requested that we detail any changes to site access, including whether any trees will be affected and how we plan to manage stormwater and erosion. Because the project lies near sensitive environmental areas, we are also being asked to update our biological assessments to ensure protection of wetlands, streams, and habitat for rare or endangered species. The good news is, we have already started this process. 

Additionally, because some of the land falls within the agricultural zone and the County’s sensitive coastal overlay, we must show that no other feasible site exists for the project and that the work will have minimal impact on nearby agricultural land and coastal resources. We understand this list may look daunting, but we want to reassure the community that we are on it. Our engineering and environmental teams are built to answer these technical questions. We aim to meet these requirements as quickly as possible to secure Cambria's reliable and sustainable water future.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and interest in this vital project. We will continue to provide regular updates as we progress through the permitting process.

Sincerely,

Matthew McElhenie