The city of Coronado has voted to create an “AD HOC” subcommittee to address the cross border water pollution crisis following an investigation by The Coronado News.
This subcommittee, created on April 4, would work with federal officials and focus on “outreach and advocacy,” including visits to Washington D.C., said City Manager Tina Friend.
Locally, the city would partner with nearby cities such as Imperial Beach, which held a special city council meeting on March 29, regarding the pollution crisis.
The moves by Coronado and Imperial Beach leaders came after The Coronado News launched a five-part investigative series this year that examined the financial consequences for both cities as well as the public health crisis for beachgoers, U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. Navy SEALS as a result of tens of millions of gallons of raw sewage coming from Tijuana, Mexico.
At the Imperial Beach hearing, representatives from the International Boundary and Water Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality presented the work they’ve been doing, and their findings from several experiments regarding the sewage flowing into San Diego County.
Opposing views on new sewage subcommittee
At the April 4 Coronado City Council Meeting, Council member John Duncan expressed concern that no one was at the Imperial Beach hearing to represent Coronado.
“We want to be involved…it’s one of our biggest issues we have”
-Coronado City Councilman John Duncan on the Tijuana sewage crisis.
“We want to be involved…it’s one of our biggest issues we have,” Duncan said, in favor of creating the subcommittee.
Council member Casey Tanaka, however, was not in favor.
“I think we’re better off not having this AD HOC committee, and sticking with what we have done,” he said.
Tanaka praised Mayor Richard Bailey, saying he had taken the lead the whole time.
He added a subcommittee would not add any value.
Bailey, Duncan to lead efforts
But the mayor said he was happy to do additional work on the issue.
“I would certainly be willing to offer myself up to continue serving in this capacity,” said Bailey, commenting that he had built up good relationships with the county and with Washington D.C. officials, and he feels the continuity is important.
Along with Tanaka, Council member Carrie Downey voted “no,” on creating a subcommittee.
However, with three council members voting “yes,” it was created, with Bailey and Duncan placed on it.
“I think there is a tremendous benefit to have an additional person on the committee who can spend a significant amount of time focusing on that issue,” Duncan said. “And I have the time and the desire.”
