April 29, 2024

San Diego Congressional Delegation Thanks Biden Administration for Attention to Cross-Border Pollution, Calls for Additional Action

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Scott Peters (CA-50) wrote a letter thanking President Joe Biden for including significant funding for ongoing improvements to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in both his Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget requests. The lawmakers also called for additional action to respond to the sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.

“Thanks to your strong partnership and the inclusion of robust Tijuana River Valley funding in your FY 2024 Budget, the bipartisan government funding bill that passed last month included over $156 million for the U.S. International Boundary Water Commission that can be used for critical repairs to the SBIWTP and to help combat cross-border pollution,” wrote the lawmakers. “We are also grateful that your Administration has continued to make this a priority by including $40.1 million in your FY 2025 Budget request for ongoing improvements for the plant.”

“This is a welcome first step, and we value the continued collaboration to address the pollution in the Tijuana River Valley,” continued the lawmakers. “We look forward to working with the Administration again this year to secure the additional funding needed to expand SBIWTP consistent with our obligations under existing agreements with Mexico.”

Read the full letter HERE

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