June 20, 2024

The Chamber joined a coalition letter spearheaded by Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and 17 other mayors in San Diego County, urging Governor Newsom to declare a State of Emergency on the Tijuana River Valley transboundary pollution crisis and to request the intervention of the Center for Disease Control to provide expert guidance and response to the public health concerns raised in our community. The letter includes reference to a report from San Diego State University that examines environmental and public health concerns caused by transboundary pollution and reviews over 60 related studies which previously confirmed increased risk of chronic diseases and exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other serious pathogens. With $300M allocated toward renovating the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Ysidro and millions more still needed for additional water infrastructure improvements that will help mitigate pollution, this study helps make the case for urgent funds and action needed at the federal level. 

Policy Advisor Lauren Cazares joined Mayor Aguirre and regional stakeholders in a press conference in support of the letter, continuing the Chamber’s strong support of this issue. View full news story here.