April 21, 2026

The Chamber IPA team met with CalEPA Deputy Secretary Maurice Lyles to discuss collaboration on key regional priorities, with a focus on addressing transboundary pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley. The conversation included opportunities to advance binational coordination on water infrastructure, explore potential funding through CalEPA to support mitigation efforts, and coordinate a potential CalEPA delegation to Tijuana to engage with state and local officials, including site visits. Next steps include collaboration to align state, federal, and regional stakeholders across southern border states to advance comprehensive solutions. In addition, staff shared updates on the Chamber’s upcoming delegation trips to Washington, D.C. and Mexico City to further elevate these and other regional priorities as well as strengthening coordination across agencies and partners.

Staff also met with Director Mónica Vega, with Tijuana’s Public Utilities Commission (CESPT), to discuss local efforts to mitigate transboundary flows and ongoing wastewater infrastructure improvements. The conversation highlighted the importance of continued coordination with state and local agencies in Baja California to advance projects that reduce pollution and improve water management on both sides of the border.

These meetings build on the Chamber’s recently released report, Tijuana River Contamination Crisis: A Five-Pillar Framework for Binational Solutions, and reflect ongoing efforts to align stakeholders and advance actionable, binational solutions. The Chamber will continue elevating these priorities through its upcoming advocacy delegation to Washington, D.C., reinforcing the need for sustained investment, coordination, and leadership to address this critical regional issue.