DATE:
January 28, 2024
21
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
CONVENING A TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY POLLUTION SPECIAL MEETING (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
For decades, the Tijuana River valley pollution crisis has plagued the binational region of San Diego and Baja California, as rapid population growth and inadequate wastewater infrastructure have allowed untreated sewage and industrial runoff to flow across the border and into communities. This crisis is not just a South Bay issue but impacts communities across the entire San Diego region, jeopardizing access to clean water and clean air, while polluting our beaches and coastlines.
The County of San Diego has led on this issue, declaring a local state of emergency since June 2023, and taking aggressive action, including spearheading air quality and public health efforts with our regional, state, and federal partners, providing air purifiers for impacted residents, and working to address trash capture and flood risk in the river valley.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of local and congressional leaders, unprecedented progress has been made. In December 2024, the San Diego Congressional Delegation secured the final $250 million in federal funding needed to complete the $650 million repair and expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, eventually doubling its capacity to treat 50 million gallons per day. This historic appropriation is the biggest investment in nearly three decades and a major step in the right direction, but the fight is still far from over.
While these investments mark a historic milestone, the challenges remain urgent. Persistent air quality issues, ongoing contamination, and ecological degradation continue to pose significant threats to the river valley, estuary, and coastal communities. Despite the progress made, these critical issues demand sustained and immediate action.
Now more than ever, we need coordinated efforts across local, state, federal, ...
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