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

Notice of Final County Action, Development Plan, DRC2013-00112