Tijuana River: cross-border pollution.
The resolution specifically highlights the environmental and health costs, mentioning that studies have linked bacterial pollution to thousands of annual illnesses in the area. In recent years, significant beach closures have occurred due to unsafe water conditions, resulting in economic losses for local businesses reliant on tourism and recreational activities. Furthermore, the resolution stresses the importance of adequate funding and technical support for infrastructure improvements and reinforces California's commitment to environmental protections that ensure public access to coastlines and clean water, in line with existing state laws.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 12 (AJR 12), introduced by Assembly member Alvarez, aims to address the serious issue of cross-border pollution affecting the Tijuana River, which has significantly impacted public health, the environment, and economic activities in Southern California, particularly in the City of Imperial Beach and surrounding areas. The resolution urges the United States Congress and President Joseph R. Biden to provide full funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution to combat the ongoing pollution problems stemming from inadequate sewage infrastructure in Tijuana, Mexico. This is underscored by years of untreated waste water and other pollutants flowing into U.S. waters, leading to dire public health consequences and multiple beach closures in the region.
Support for AJR 12 is rooted in a strong concern for public health and community welfare amid growing awareness of environmental justice issues. Many legislators and community advocates see the resolution as a crucial step toward addressing longstanding and detrimental pollution problems affecting vulnerable communities along the border. However, there may be contention related to the readiness and efficiency of federal governmental responses to such calls for funding and emergency declarations, showing a divide between local needs and bureaucratic processes.
Notable points of contention arise from the history of government responses to pollution control and infrastructure funding in border areas, particularly the effectiveness of past efforts and the reliability of federal agencies like the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC). The resolution points out failures in maintaining essential wastewater treatment facilities, contributing to ongoing pollution problems. With California's repeated calls for action dating back years, the urgency for a declared national emergency is also a matter of intense discussion among stakeholders aiming for effective and timely intervention.