San Diego County officials are stepping up to tackle the long-standing environmental health issues caused by pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and Chairwoman Nora Vargas, has unanimously agreed on a policy that seeks to find legal remedies to the chronic sewage problem, as reported by Supervisor Lawson-Remer's newsroom. This policy mandates the County’s legal counsel to provide updates and identify potential lawsuits against those responsible for the damages every 90 days, exploring avenues such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
“We must do everything within our County’s authority to protect public health and ensure our beaches, coastlines, and communities are free from toxic pollution. Taking legal action is another lever we can pull to help address this crisis,” Supervisor Lawson-Remer stated. In support, Chairwoman Nora Vargas reiterated the board's unified stance, urging continuous pressure to address the urgent environmental health crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
In her social media post, echoed by Supervisor Nora Vargas, she called this crisis "the worst environmental and social justice crisis of our time," emphasizing the need for urgent action. Her commitment, along with that of Lawson-Remer's, has garnered over 2,500 signatures for a petition calling on President Joe Biden for federal intervention.
Pollution along the Tijuana River Valley is the worst environmental and social justice crisis of our time, and we need action now. I’m continuously working with federal, state and local partners to secure immediate and long-term solutions that protect the health of our families. pic.twitter.com/Qi4t57O9gb
— Supervisor Nora Vargas (@SupNoraVargas) October 22, 2024
The county has been proactive, with Lawson-Remer notably lobbying for state and federal support, leading to the U.S. Government allocating upwards of $456 million for wastewater treatment improvements. Lawson-Remer's policy initiatives have also recently included efforts to better handle the contamination issues through enhanced data collection and the development of local decontamination protocols. September saw important cross-agency discussions for comprehensive strategies to address health concerns and environmental damage, leading to the September 26 proposal to assist southern coastal communities with air purifiers.
With these measures in place, Supervisor Lawson-Remer is now pushing to designate the Tijuana River Valley as a Superfund site, which could significantly ramp up cleanup efforts.
