My family and I live in a small neighborhood, that is in a small community, that is in a mid-sized northern California county that is more than 20 miles to the south of a fairly large city, and almost the same distance north of an even bigger city. We’re many miles west of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County.
But we have a lot in common.
Like you, we have short-term rentals throughout our community, and nearby, as well, in our small, residential neighborhood.
A few years ago, all of a sudden, we began seeing a growing number of strangers arriving in ride-share vehicles or cabs, or driving rental cars and parking them in the area. They were toting suitcases along front sidewalks. This was disconcerting, at times.
And, like you, we’ve been fixated on water.
You’ve had heavier precipitation this year, more rain and snow. We’ve had a few more rain storms, than last year, and more snow at Tahoe Ski resorts and in the Sierra mountains, but in the waning weeks of winter, our snowpack may wind up being lower than normal. Melting snow helps address some of our water needs.
But even when we’ve had heavy snowfall up in the mountains, for one reason or another, in past years, annual snow survey results have been disappointing. Several winters ago, for example, the water content in the snow was found to be lower than expected.
Imagine that! Dry snow!
We, and neighbors we know, are conserving water… turning water on and off… soaping up and rinsing off in the shower, and when we’re washing dishes. Our dishwasher is collecting dust.
And like you, we need more affordable housing. Some affordable homes were built around our community, years ago. But not nearly enough affordable housing has been added, over the years.
That’s a serious drought, as well, in a way.
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.