October 25, 2024

San Diego Congressional Delegation Urges SBA to Examine How to Assist Businesses Impacted by Tijuana River Valley Pollution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Scott Peters (CA-50), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Sara Jacobs (CA-51) urged the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to investigate how it can provide assistance to businesses impacted by pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. 

“For too long, South San Diego County has suffered with untreated wastewater, sediment, and trash that has flowed through the Tijuana River into San Diego waters affecting our environment, national security, and the health and safety of our constituents. As we continue to work with local governments, federal agencies, and our Mexican counterparts to address the pollution’s effect on the environment and wellbeing of our constituents, we must also work to address the devastating impact this pollution has had on small businesses, the consumers who rely on them, and our regional economy,” wrote the lawmakers. 

“This summer marked the third straight year that beaches in South San Diego County, specifically those in the City of Imperial Beach, had been closed due to dangerous levels of bacteria found in the water from the Tijuana River. These closures have had a damaging impact on the small businesses who rely on tourism from beachgoers,” continued the lawmakers. “As businesses struggle to remain open amid the transboundary pollution, the SBA’s mission to ‘help ensure that program delivery is equitable, customer-centric and supports small businesses and innovation’ is needed more now than ever.”

Read the full letter HERE

The San Diego Congressional delegation has been focused on combating pollution in the Tijuana River Valley for years. 

Together, the San Diego Congressional delegation has secured $400 million in federal funding to help improve and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. Construction on the plant will begin soon. 

Earlier this month, the San Diego Congressional delegation called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide support to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District as they work to monitor the air quality in communities impacted by Tijuana River Valley pollution. 

In May, the Congressional delegation called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to look into the contaminants in the water, soil, and air in our communities and the potential connection to reported increases in illnesses and other symptoms. Thanks to their request, the CDC has begun an investigation into the public health impacts of the Tijuana River Valley sewage pollution.

Earlier this year, the San Diego Congressional delegation reiterated their call to the President to declare a federal state of emergency to help address the pollution. 

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