DATE:
October 22, 2024
28
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RECEIVE UPDATE ON EXPANDING MOBILIZATION AGAINST THE TIJUANA RIVER SEWAGE CRISIS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Over the years, San Diego County has been negatively impacted due to contamination and pollution from the Tijuana River Valley. Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and urban runoff have contaminated beaches and coastlines. These issues have particular impact on the well-being of residents, the environment, and the economy of the cities and unincorporated communities of Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, San Diego, Bonita, and East Otay Mesa (South Region).
Under the leadership of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board), the County of San Diego (County), in partnership with impacted stakeholders across the region, have responded to this issue through various strategies. Recognizing the detrimental impacts to the environment, economy, and property within San Diego County caused by persistent contamination from cross-border sewage pollution and sewage-impacted ocean waters, the Board issued a Proclamation of Emergency on June 27, 2023 (16). Subsequently, the Board found that there is a continuing need for the local emergency and took action to keep the local emergency in effect, with the most recent action on September 11, 2024 (3).
In May 2024, the Tijuana River Pollution Task Force (Task Force) led by the City of Imperial Beach, San Diego State University School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, and local physicians and community members formed to understand the long-term public health impact and call on local, State, and federal agencies to step up efforts to fix this issue. On June 25, 2024 (11), the Board took action to expand the mobilization against the Tijuana River sewage crisis and directed the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure appropriate County staff begin meeting with the Task Force within 45 days to discuss and develop op...
Click here for full text