Stop Toxic Waste From Entering the Tijuana River

Tijuana River, CA | Courtesy of ThisisCA.com

The Tijuana River Watershed is the current and ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation and home to millions of people on both sides of the U.S./Mexico Border. The mouth of the Tijuana River empties into the Pacific Ocean through the Tijuana River Estuary, the largest freshwater estuary in southern California. Unfortunately, this beautiful place has been marred by industrial waste, raw sewage, and trash for over a century.

Every day, failing wastewater infrastructure discharges millions of gallons of toxic waste into the Tijuana Watershed and out into the Pacific Ocean, sickening communities and destroying sensitive wildlife habitat. Ocean currents carry polluted water up the coast towards San Diego. In 2017 alone, researchers found that 34,000 illnesses were associated with sewage-tainted water in Imperial Beach, California, located just north of the U.S. - Mexico border. Recent studies report aerosolization of water pollution into the air, causing widespread respiratory illness in frontline communities. In the words of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, “an entire generation of children is growing up in South San Diego County having only experienced polluted beaches.” The toxic flows impair habitats, harm marine species, limit coastal access, jeopardize border security, and have detrimental effects on local economies and livelihoods. This is a grave public health crisis and one of the most significant environmental justice issues in the United States.

While a Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution (CIS) has been vetted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other government and community stakeholders, another $700 million is needed to fully implement this plan. The CIS includes needed repairs and upgrades to wastewater infrastructure on both sides of the border.

We urge the President and Congress to fully fund this project immediately and end this national emergency!

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Dear {contact_data~salutation}{contact_data~lastName},
There is an environmental and public health catastrophe occurring at the U.S./Mexico border, caused by millions of gallons of toxic pollution flowing through the shared Tijuana River Watershed every day. The problem is due to a failure by both nations to maintain and invest in adequate wastewater infrastructure for decades and needs to be addressed now. We urgently appeal to President Biden and Members of Congress to fulfill their commitments to protect the environment, clean water, and public safety for all people.

The flow of sewage, trash, and industrial contaminants is destroying the region's natural ecosystems, crippling local economies, and making people sick on both sides of the border, disproportionately impacting communities that are largely comprised of Latinx families and households that fall near or below the poverty line. It’s also taking away coastal access and valuable recreational opportunities for these families by causing beach closures - 800 consecutive days and counting at the southernmost beach in San Diego County.

The cross-border flow of toxic pollution is also threatening our national security, exposing Border Patrol agents and Navy SEALS that operate and train in the area to dangerous pathogens and chemicals. Even first responders and lifeguards are often required to enter toxic water to do their jobs. This is one of the most significant public health and environmental justice emergencies in the country.

Solutions exist, but have yet to be implemented. There is a comprehensive suite of infrastructure solutions that has already been vetted by the Environmental Protection Agency and many other federal and local stakeholders, but without sufficient funding, this public health and environmental justice crisis continues, threatening the safety and health of communities, lifeguards, Border Patrol personnel and military trainees every day.

Please take decisive and immediate action to address the crisis in the Tijuana River Watershed by fully funding the solutions needed to restore a clean and safe environment for the affected communities.

Sincerely,

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