Solutions Proposed for Tijuana River Pollution Crisis
Experts and advocates call for state action as toxic runoff creates a public health and economic emergency in San Diego County.
Environmental experts and community advocates will present a package of legislative and policy solutions on Thursday aimed at mitigating the ongoing pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
The briefing focuses on a suite of active state legislation and gubernatorial policy options designed to address what advocates describe as a critical intersection of public health, water quality and economic instability in Southern California.
Recent data from CalMatters and the Associated Press indicate that residents and elementary school students in San Diego are inhaling aerosolized hydrogen sulfide at levels reaching 500 parts per billion. This figure is more than 15 times the California state safety standard of 30 parts per billion.
The toxic runoff has led to chronic beach closures and impacted the regional economy. San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre has petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency to expedite cleanup and restoration efforts.
The upcoming briefing will feature testimony from state legislators, medical professionals and economic analysts regarding the feasibility of “hot spot” remediation and long-term restoration in the river valley.
Participants scheduled for the briefing include California Sen. Steve Padilla and Aguirre, along with pediatricians and school nurses who have monitored the health impacts on local children.
The coalition argues that current legislative proposals represent a significant opportunity to provide economic relief to the region while implementing permanent infrastructure solutions to stop the flow of untreated waste across the border.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
