In a bold move to address the ongoing environmental and public health crisis in the Tijuana River Valley, Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer will introduce a policy during the upcoming San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 27. The policy aims to formally declare a local state of emergency, highlighting the dire health, economic, and environmental impacts of the crisis.
The announcement came during a press conference held yesterday, where Chairwoman Vargas and Vice Chair Lawson-Remer emphasized the urgency of the situation. A video of the press conference can be viewed here.
The proposed declaration of a local emergency regarding the U.S.-Mexico border transboundary pollution environmental crisis carries significant weight, as it would call for a federal state of emergency. Furthermore, it would direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to conduct an assessment of the economic consequences stemming from the crisis, delivering a comprehensive report to the board within 120 days. The CAO would also be mandated to continue pursuing available federal and state funding sources to address the crisis effectively.
Chairwoman Nora Vargas expressed her determination to tackle this long-standing issue head-on, stating, "I am proud to lead these efforts and, for the first time in the history of a decades-long problem, declare a local state of emergency for an issue that has disproportionately impacted our communities. Enough is enough! Since I joined the County Board of Supervisors, I have made this a top priority, and now it's time for the Federal Government to prioritize this issue and provide additional support to bring clean water to the families and visitors of South County."
Vice Chair Lawson-Remer, a surfer and mother, voiced her deep concern about the ongoing pollution. "As a surfer and a mom, I am appalled that every day nearly 35 million gallons of sewage continue to flow into our ocean from across our southern border, poisoning our coastline. This is unacceptable," she exclaimed. "We've put up with the Tijuana sewage crisis for far too long. We're calling upon the Biden Administration to declare a federal emergency and put a stop to this environmental injustice."
The Tijuana River has been wreaking havoc on the coastlines and beaches of South San Diego County for several decades, resulting in contamination and pollution. According to the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), extensive documentation reveals that since 2018, over 100 billion gallons of toxic effluent have entered the United States through the Tijuana River. Shockingly, an additional 35 billion gallons have crossed the international border since December 28, 2022.
The continuous influx of transboundary sewage has inflicted severe consequences on local communities, causing significant public health concerns, economic instability, and environmental degradation. The impact can be witnessed through the extended closure of certain beaches, spanning over 550 consecutive days, due to persistently poor water quality.
With the impending policy set to be presented at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting, Chairwoman Vargas and Vice Chair Lawson-Remer aim to draw attention to the gravity of the Tijuana River Valley environmental crisis. By declaring a state of emergency, they hope to rally the support needed to address the issue effectively and bring relief to the affected communities.
