Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, joined by a delegation of local officials, including City of Coronado Councilmember John Duncan, traveled to Washington D.C., advocating before Congress and the White House for the approval of $310 million in supplemental funds to address the pressing Tijuana River pollution crisis and for a state of emergency declaration.
The funds are urgently required to repair and expand the International Wastewater Treatment plant that is operated by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).
The mayors also requested that President Biden use the full extent of his executive authority for swift and decisive action to mitigate the amount of toxics and sewage polluting the seventh largest county in the nation.
The pollutants flowing through the Tijuana River Valley have inflicted extensive and severe consequences, adversely impacting the environment, public health, tourism and the communities and federal agencies in the region.
The deteriorating wastewater infrastructure in Tijuana and at the U.S. IBWC’s International Wastewater Treatment Plant has led to over two years of continuous beach closures due to sewage contamination in the City of Imperial Beach and intermittent closures at Silver Strand State Beach and Coronado.
Emphasizing urgency
In their advocacy efforts, Aguirre and McCann are emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the critical need for $310 million in supplemental funding for the IBWC.
This funding, initially included in President Biden’s supplemental funding request to Congress, is essential for the repair and expansion of the International Treatment Plant, aiming to address the severe public health threat and environmental concerns that have plagued the region.
“This crisis has implications well beyond the Cities of Imperial Beach and Chula Vista. It affects our military’s readiness, our economy, and poses a serious public health threat to the entire Southbay region,” said Aguirre. “Our communities can’t withstand this much longer. We urge congress and our president to take immediate action.”
Failure to secure the $310 million in funding will not only delay the implementation of the proposed expansion but also make it more expensive and hinder compliance with the Clean Water Act at this federal facility. The urgency of the matter cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the safety, well-being, and economic stability of the entire region.
“The Tijuana River pollution has broad environmental and economic impact for the South Bay and urgently needs to be addressed,” said McCann.
The mayors and their delegation are urging swift and decisive action from federal authorities to ensure the allocation of funds necessary to mitigate the Tijuana River Valley pollution crisis. They remain committed to safeguarding the environment, public health, and the livelihoods of the communities affected by this urgent and critical issue.
City of Imperial Beach Press Release.
