Letters to the Editor: March 11 - 16

‘Can be done right’

I n response to Catherine Ryan Hyde’s letter ( “Non-madeup facts,” March 4), I appreciate that the Pacific Institute identifies many environmental “challenges” that could, may, or might happen if a desalination plant is not properly designed. These are not facts, but potential effects based on knowledge of similar discharges, which must be addressed during the environmental review process. That’s a starting point.

I also understand that when I take my prescription drugs, the insert says I may encounter many side effects, including death. I own an unrecalled Toyota, and driving it may kill me. And yet, with the many potential hazards of modern life, I can move forward. I am cautious, but not afraid.

I am also an environmental engineer with 36 years of experience, and much of my work involved ocean discharges and ocean monitoring, including sitting on the commission of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project ( www.sccwrp.org). That experience tells me that California has some of the most comprehensive and strict ocean water quality standards in the world (http://bit. ly/ocean plan2005), which govern the discharge of virtually all of the constituents of concern identified by the Pacific Institute. The state standards also address acute and chronic toxicity, in case there are unknown toxics, measured via ongoing bioassays with the most sensitive organisms appropriate to the locality.

The quote in the subject letter also refers to impingement or entrainment that could kill marine organisms near an intake structure. However, that’s pretty much irrelevant at this point. The proposed CCSD study is being done specifically because Cambria plans to employ a subterranean intake and concentrate return well system that would avoid these problems (http://bit. ly/ ccsddesal).

So I am reasonably well-aware of the facts (and citations, if you wish), and when Valerie Bentz writes, “carcinogens will be spewed out into the ocean, resulting in a dead area in the ocean,” or “toxic mercury from old mines would likely be released,” ( “Fiscal, environmental cost too high,” Viewpoint, Feb. 11), I just don’t accept it as a fact, and I don’t think Cambrians should either.

For the desalination plant itself, I know how the project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will have to address any significant impacts and adopt mitigation measures; how the state Water Resources Control Board will have its own rigorous permitting process and ongoing monitoring requirements for both the discharge and receiving waters; how the Coastal Commission will add a further layer of review for both terrestrial and marine impacts; and how the public will have input at every stage.

And I am confident that there is enough knowledge of desalination and its potential impacts that it can be done right, if Cambrians have that goal.

Bob Horvath Cambria

Want home, not profit

This letter is in response to the letter by Al Abney ( “Land speculators,” Feb. 25). As a lot owner, I would like Mr. Abney, and others who believe as he, to know that, although I own a lot in Cambria, I am not a land speculator. As a matter of fact, I have never met anyone who is a member of United Lot Owners of Cambria (UnLOC) who has purchased property for speculation.

In addition, we have never filed, or threatened to file, any lawsuits. Un- LOC is made up of sincere people who purchased their lots to in order to live in Cambria. We look forward to being active members of Cambria some day.

However, there are those, and I hope Mr. Abney isn’t among them, who fight any action taken by the Cambria Community Services District that would allow us to live on the property we purchased. This group of people harass the CCSD staff and board members every chance they get, and have disrespect for us and no concern for the others in the community.

They were disingenuous in their opposition to the CCSD to improve the water storage facilities. Their opposition stalled the construction of facilities to provide the adequate water storage to protect the residences from fires that could have ravaged homes as was seen to the south and north of Cambria.

Now they oppose the desalination plant to provide a back-up for the water supply. They would actually oppose any means of improving the reliability of the water supply simply for their own selfish reasons. The sad thing is that these people are missing out on some very good neighbors and contributors to the community.

In closing, I would like to also inform Mr. Abney that the Realtor and escrow discloser barely covered the requirements needed in the law to inform my wife and me about the water issue and I do not plan to abandon my dreams to live here and I will continue to fight to live in Cambria.

Jim Ensley Las Vegas

Super sober party

The Cambria Connection Board of Directors wishes to thank the Cambria community and several merchants for supporting our first annual Sober Super Bowl Party. The purpose of this party was to provide a “sober” environment for fans of all ages to watch the Super Bowl.

We believe the party was an unqualified success. About 30 fans stopped by to enjoy the Super Bowl on the Cambria Youth Center’s big-screen television. We gave away prizes and there were plenty of good “eats” for everyone. A couple of guests mentioned this was the first non-alcoholic Super Bowl event they had had the opportunity to attend.

The Connection board especially appreciates the support and generosity of the following Cambria merchants who supported the event with kind contributions: Safe at Home; JBJ’s Round-up Pizza; Cambria Drug & Gift; Rainbow Coffee Bean; the Main Street Grill; Artworks by TeriO; and Linn’s Restaurant.

Colleen Murphy, for the Cambria Connection

Pet project

It seems to me Cambria needs a pet cemetery. Does anyone know how to go about getting that done? Does anyone have any spare acreage they don’t need?

I would be available to be the “grounds keeper.”

Dan Tanner Cambria