March 25, 2024
(CLICK IMAGE TO READ FULL LETTER)
This month, the Chamber led a letter in collaboration with Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Imperial Beach Chamber, and business organizations and regional stakeholders from both sides of the border in efforts to address the critical pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley. The letter addressed to Hon. Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality, urged immediate action to mitigate the severe pollution affecting the TJRV.
The letter represents the collective voice of diverse industries and employers in our region, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. It underscores our deep concern for the detrimental impact of transboundary pollution on public health, the environment, tourism, and the overall well-being of communities on both sides of the border. The economic repercussions, including diminished tourism, decreased property values, and harm to small businesses, are substantial and cannot be ignored.
In addition to these advocacy efforts, significant strides have been made in securing funding for critical infrastructure projects. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters, U.S. Senator Padilla, along with the rest of our San Diego Congressional Delegation successfully advocated for tripling funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission’s construction budget to $156 million, with a total of $220.85 million for all IBWC operations approved by Congress. The $103 million increase from last year brings the agency back on track with its goal to rehabilitate and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.-Mexico border, addressing transborder water pollution in the area.
The Chamber remains committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote a healthy and prosperous future for all residents of our region and will bring these concerns to the nation’s capital during our upcoming Mission to Washington, D.C. delegation trip.