Water and growth have been welded together for years in Cambria. It’s been so long since we knew any other way. The issues are complex and the details begin to fade after so many years, if they ever even knew them. Almost 60% of us  have lived in our current home for under 10 years.  (neighborcity.com) Only 45% of us have lived in town more than 5 years. (clrsearch.com) Armed with these facts, it may be easier to understand why there is some confusion and misinformation. Time to begin to dispel the myths and offer facts so we can make informed choices. With nearly 68% of us earning a higher degree, I am confident that information and discussion can only be an asset.  So to that end, AboutCambria.com will be going back to basics. A refresher for some, an introduction to others and eye-opening for all, the next few weeks will be all About Cambria.
A building history of Cambria:

• Cambria adds up to 125 new homes annually through the 1980s. (The 125 max is a condition of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.)
• County implements a Growth Management Plan  that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 2.3% annually. CCSD closes the “water wait list” that was begun to keep track of  requests for service beyond the 125 limit
• Determination: Not enough water for all potential homes. (over 11,000 in 1988 County Plan)
• Work on getting additional water
• Desalination chosen, plant designed and permitted (c. 1996)
• Pro-desal Board voted out of office  (Nov. 1996)
• Determination: Not enough water for all potential homes
• County amends Growth Management Plan  in Cambria that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 1% annually (1998)
• Declare emergency (water code 350)  Stops issuing “letters of intent to serve”(late 2001)
• County amends Growth Management Plan  in Cambria that allocates building permits for new homes at a rate of 0% annually (2003-2012)
• Work on getting additional water
• Choose to get water from desal

And Cambria’s building future:

• Desal plant built
• New homes built
• Cambria runs out of buildable lots

Democracy is a participatory, ongoing  project. David Suzuki, scientist and envronmental activist recently said he thinks the greatest threat to the health of our planet is citizen complaisency. His line of reasoing went like this: When “ordinary” citizens aren’t involved, aren’t pressuring the policy makers to make sustainable policies they leave room for the special interest groups and the agenda’s they are pushing. , whose interest isn’t in the well-being of all, but in pushing their own narrow agenda. Nurturing a thriving and sustainable community is  a collaborative adventure between the people, the elected leaders and staff of the government agencies. Most public meetings are not very well attended. When the general public is in attendance, its usually because the board is considering a controversial decision or will impact people financially. There are a small number of very vocal, opinionated folks who always seem to be kicking up dust.
Whether you agree or disagree with their positions, means and the ends they are going for, there are advantages and disadvantages to their involvement.  Those who are not involved fall into 3 basic categories: those who justify/rationalize their complaisant or passive attitudes toward participation in government; those who were involved, but gave up trying to engage in the process in a meaningful way because of  frustration or emotional beatings; and those who are uninformed and/or unaware and so don’t participate.

If you’re reading this, you probably are already involved and keeping current with the issues I write about.  The next time the CCSD comes up in conversation, do us all a favor and ask your companion whether or not they’ve seen or heard of this website. If they haven’t, steer them to the site  for updated information and discussion.  (along with www.cambriacsd.org).In fact, send a link to at least 2 Cambrians on your email list with a link to an article you find interesting. Or copy and paste one of the links below into an email.

• Historical Water Use in Cambria

• May 2009 Update of MTBE threat to Santa Rosa Creek

• Cambria Healthcare District Employees agree to Salary Freezes

• Read about our Desal Project in an Industry Journal

Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice

• Water You Thinking? Panel Discussion of Water Issues Tuesday March 16, 2010
• Bygones Aren't Bygones For Cambria Healthcare District Board, It Seems
• Agenda for Thursday February 25 CCSD Meeting
• Open Invitation to Cambria Potluck Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 4pm
• CCSD Water Master Plan and Related Documents