U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin visited San Diego on Tuesday, emphasizing the urgent need to address ongoing sewage problems impacting the U.S.-Mexico border.
Zeldin’s visit brought together local leaders, including San Diego County supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond, along with Representatives Darrell Issa and Mike Levin, among others.
The crisis of sewage pollution has been a longstanding issue, with untreated wastewater from the Tijuana River in Mexico frequently crossing into the United States, particularly affecting the southern California region.
During his visit, Zeldin met with Alicia Bárcena, the Mexican Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, where they discussed collaborative efforts to put an end to decades of raw sewage entering the U.S. from Mexico.
“The Mexican environmental secretary clearly expressed a desire for a strong collaborative relationship,” Zeldin noted, expressing hope for a joint statement from Mexican authorities outlining their plans to help resolve this pressing issue in the coming weeks.
In addition, Zeldin underscored the importance of local leaders compiling a list of necessary projects aimed at stopping the pollution flow.
His visit included a tour of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to addressing the crisis that has plagued southern California for far too long.
Zeldin emphasized that “this is a matter that requires not only collaboration but an extreme sense of urgency” to bring about satisfactory resolutions.
Highlighting the concerns of locals, he remarked, “It’s a beautiful day where people should be able to spend an Earth Day without worrying about foul smells, public health issues, beach closures, and other consequences of this ongoing situation.”
Following the meeting with Zeldin, Jim Desmond praised the discussions as a “productive and vital step forward for the future of Southern California.”
Desmond further expressed gratitude towards Zeldin for acknowledging this crisis, which he insists is not just an environmental concern but also a matter of national security due to its impact on military readiness.
“It’s vital that we elevate this crisis to the level of international diplomacy and ensure that Mexico is held accountable,” Desmond asserted, referencing how pollution has affected the training of Navy SEALs.
Reiterating the sentiment for action, Mike Levin stated that the true measure of success would be in the actions taken post-visit.
He emphasized that the situation should be resolved in a bipartisan manner, cautioning against funding cuts to the agencies tasked with managing the issue, particularly the International Boundary Water Commission that operates the wastewater treatment plant.
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, who is running for a position on the county board, expressed thanks to Zeldin for witnessing the challenges posed by persistent pollution firsthand, signaling a commitment to seek long-term solutions.
In light of Zeldin’s visit coinciding with Earth Day, the Transboundary Pollution Coalition for Advocacy and Healing released a statement highlighting the pollution crisis as a significant public health issue that affects communities on both sides of the border.
As a coalition comprising over 50 organizations and community leaders, they called attention to the need for immediate funding and implementation of solutions to mitigate sewage and other toxic waste in the Tijuana River and surrounding areas.
A coalition spokesperson asserted, “It’s imperative to hold all policymakers accountable for common-sense solutions to fix pollution issues affecting our water, beaches, and health.”
Activist groups, including San Diego 350 and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, participated in the event to protest against perceived attacks on environmental protections and funding cuts detrimental to community health initiatives.
Corinna Contreras, a member of the Vista City Council, articulated the community’s resolve in funding essential programs aimed at safeguarding local waters and holding industries accountable for pollution.
As the discussions concluded, the collective resolve to address the sewage crisis seemed to solidify, as community leaders and government officials prepared to engage further in collaborative, international dialogue necessary to remedy the ongoing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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