San Diego delegation asks Biden to address transborder sewage flows
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SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and a coalition of 16 business organizations have drafted a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to address the ongoing transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.
The authors described the letter as “a joint initiative aimed at urgent action.” The draft describes the severity of the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley and urges the administration to take immediate steps to mitigate its impact.
It is also addressed to Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality.
For decades, almost daily, millions of gallons of raw sewage flow from Mexico onto the U.S. side of the border contaminating the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.
Sewage in Tijuana River Valley is the ‘worst it’s ever been’
“The direct and growing economic repercussions this ongoing crisis causes – including diminished tourism and harm to small businesses – are substantial and cannot be ignored,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is proud to lead this letter to help address the detrimental impacts of transboundary pollution on public health, the environment, and the overall well-being of communities on both sides of the border.”
Next month, the Chamber says it will lead a delegation of more than 150 leaders from across the binational region for a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.
It plans to meet with federal officials and policymakers to share how the pollution impacts the health and well-being of communities on both sides of the border.
The delegation reportedly will also advocate for federal support and intervention to address the pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
‘Historic day’ as ground is broken on sewage treatment facility south of the border
“I am grateful to the San Diego County chambers for their support in our fight against transboundary pollution impacting south San Diego County. Imperial Beach has been devastated by sewage contaminating our air and coastal waters,” Aguirre said. “Our beaches have been closed for over 820 consecutive days, severely impacting our local economy, which depends on beach goers and tourists. Despite the recent allocation of $156 million signed into law by President Biden this week, more help is needed. We urge the Biden-Harris administration to declare a state of emergency so we can begin to mitigate this crisis.”
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