Dear Cambrians,

Yesterday marked a defining moment for the Cambria Community Services District and for our community as a whole. After more than a decade of studies, environmental review, engineering refinement, regulatory coordination, and unwavering commitment, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the Coastal Development Permit for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). This approval represents far more than a permit. It represents persistence. It represents sound science. It represents disciplined governance. And it represents the collective will of a community that understands the importance of securing its water future. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the District staff who carried this project forward through complex technical reviews, evolving regulatory standards, and countless public meetings:

• James Green, Utilities Department Manager, whose operational leadership and technical expertise ensured that the project design remains grounded in practicality and long-term reliability.
• Cody Meeks, Water Superintendent, whose field experience and system knowledge ensured that operational realities were integrated into the project’s design and long-term functionality.
• Tristan Reaper, Program Manager, coordinated the engineering, environmental documentation, and regulatory interface with professionalism and precision.
• Eric Johnson, Administrative Technician, provided essential logistical, documentation, and coordination support throughout the process.
• Haley Dodson, Confidential Administrative Assistant, whose organizational discipline and communication support helped keep this effort moving forward behind the scenes.

I also want to recognize Tim Carmel, District Counsel, for his steady legal guidance throughout this multi-year process. Navigating coastal permitting, environmental review, and interagency coordination requires disciplined legal oversight. His counsel ensured that the District remained procedurally sound and well-positioned at every stage.

In addition, I want to acknowledge every member of our District team who contributed in ways both visible and unseen. Large infrastructure projects are never accomplished by one individual—they are built through steady, collective effort.

Finally, I extend my appreciation to our Board of Directors for their sound resolve and faith in the District’s ability to achieve this milestone. Over the years, Board members remained steady in their commitment to water sustainability, even when the process was long and the path forward was complex. Their governance discipline and long-term vision made this approval possible.

This Is a Milestone, Not the End

While we recognize and celebrate this approval, it is important to acknowledge that the process is not over. Given the history and public interest surrounding this project, it is likely the decision will be appealed to the County Board of Supervisors and, thereafter, to the Coastal Commission. That is part of California’s coastal regulatory framework, and we respect that process.

If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Matthew McElhenie

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) is happy to announce that the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission will consider the District’s Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) at its meeting on February 26, 2026.

The upcoming hearing represents a significant milestone for the community. The Water Reclamation Facility was originally constructed in 2014 during an unprecedented statewide drought under an Emergency Coastal Development Permit. While the facility has existed for more than a decade, it has operated only under emergency authorization while the District worked through the extensive environmental review and coastal permitting process required for long-term approval.

Over the past three years, the District has focused substantial effort on advancing the project toward permanent authorization. This work has included updated environmental analysis, engineering refinements, biological and groundwater studies, and ongoing coordination with County Planning staff, the California Coastal Commission, and multiple state and federal resource agencies. The District’s goal throughout this process has been to ensure that the facility operates in a manner that protects the San Simeon Creek watershed, the lagoon, and surrounding environmentally sensitive habitats, while maintaining a reliable water supply for the Cambria community during drought conditions.

District staff hosted representatives from County Planning and Coastal staff for a site visit and tour of the Water Reclamation Facility and surrounding areas. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the facility, discuss environmental protections and monitoring measures, and observe the relationship between the facility, San Simeon Creek, and surrounding habitat areas firsthand. The District found the meeting to be productive and informative and appreciates the continued collaboration and engagement of agency staff throughout the review process.

The Water Reclamation Facility is designed to improve water supply reliability during drought periods by treating brackish groundwater and returning advanced-treated water back into the groundwater basin. The project is intended to protect the community’s existing water supply and reduce the risk of emergency shortages in the future. The Planning Commission hearing will provide an opportunity for public input and consideration of the project’s consistency with County and Coastal policies. Community members are encouraged to participate in the process by attending the meeting or submitting comments to the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building. Information regarding the meeting agenda, staff report, and participation details can be found at the following link:

https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/planning-building/grid-items/meetings,-hearings,-agendas,-and-minutes/planning-commission-meetings

If approved locally, but appealed, the project will continue through the California Coastal Commission review process as required under the Coastal Act.

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has received an update from the County of San Luis Obispo regarding our Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application. The County has completed its review of the submitted materials and responses to the information hold and has confirmed that the project is accepted for processing, and will now receive its environmental determination pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The official acceptance letter is provided below. During the environmental determination, the CCSD may need to provide additional information, and the County will notify us by letter if additional information is needed or of the results of the environmental determination. The application is subject to a discretionary review process. A discretionary permit requires the review and approval of the Planning Commission or the Board of Supervisors. A discretionary permit may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied. An application for a discretionary permit does not guarantee approval, whether a project complies with all applicable standards, or has been recommended for approval. All decisions on discretionary permits can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors, who will then make the final decision on the project. 

This achievement represents the culmination of years of dedicated effort by CCSD staff, our consulting team, and the Board of Directors, who have remained steadfast in navigating a complex and evolving regulatory process. The County’s acceptance acknowledges that the District has successfully met all outstanding technical and informational requirements necessary to proceed to the next stage of review.

The WRF remains a cornerstone of Cambria’s long-term water resilience strategy, designed to enhance drought reliability, protect our limited groundwater resources, and provide environmental safeguards for future generations. Moving into the environmental review process is a significant step forward in ensuring this vital infrastructure project achieves the transparency, accountability, and scientific rigor our community expects and deserves.

On behalf of the entire District, I want to thank our residents for their continued patience and support. The progress we have made reflects the professionalism and persistence of our staff and the leadership of the CCSD Board. Together, we are moving closer to securing a sustainable water future for Cambria.

We will continue to keep the community informed as the County completes its environmental review process and the project advances toward public hearings.

Sincerely,

Matthew McElhenie

The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has submitted all remaining items previously requested under the “information hold” for our Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application. With this submission, the information response phase for the current scope of the project is now complete, pending any further clarifying questions from the reviewing agencies.

Our submittal includes the following key documents:

• A grading and drainage exhibit for the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facility, including the brine container pad
• A Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan
• A plan for removal of the pond liner and restoration of the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA)
• A consolidated table summarizing total site disturbance and earthwork across initial facilities, proposed improvements, and offsite work areas
• Supporting documentation for policy consistency

Next, agency staff will review our materials for consistency with applicable policies and determine any remaining procedural steps. These may include a Planning Commission hearing, public notice, and scheduling.

We remain available to respond to any agency questions and will continue to keep the community updated as the application progresses.

We are pleased to share some exciting news regarding our ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability and resilience of our water resources. After considerable planning, collaboration, and dedication, we have successfully submitted the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) application for the Water Reclamation Facility and the San Simeon Creek Instream Flows Assessment to include Van Gordan Creek to the County of San Luis Obispo (see link in sidebar).

This marks a major milestone in our mission to secure Cambria's reliable and sustainable water supply. The Water Reclamation Facility is a key component of our long-term water management strategy. This project is essential in ensuring that our community remains resilient to water challenges, including droughts and climate change.

This journey is long from over. We expect an information hold while we update our Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) with our consultants. However, in consultation with the County planners, they agreed that submitting the application was the correct choice while they worked with us through the permitting process. In September, we will bring forward a scope change that will allow our consultant (SWCA) to begin working on several updates, including the AMP, EIR Addendum, Compliance memo, and Policy Consistency Analysis.

We recognize that this success would not have been possible without the support and input of our community. We sincerely thank everyone who participated in public meetings, provided feedback, and worked alongside us to make this a reality. Your engagement has been invaluable, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we move forward with the permitting phases. The Coastal Development Permit submission is only the beginning of the next chapter in this project. We will continue to work closely with local and state agencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements while advancing this critical project.

As always, we welcome your questions, comments, and ongoing participation. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for Cambria. Thank you for your continued support.