Establish an EPA Geographic Program in the Tijuana River Watershed

Every year, billions of gallons of toxic pollution cross the U.S./Mexico border through the Tijuana Watershed bringing untreated sewage, industrial waste, and huge amounts of trash to beaches across south San Diego County and northern Baja California. These flows make beaches unsafe for public use, impair habitat and open space, and lead to multiple illnesses.  The southernmost beach in San Diego has been closed for over 1500 consecutive days and counting.  The results are detrimental to local economies and pose an enormous public health hazard on both sides of the border.  The pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color, making this an environmental justice issue.  

Surfrider has long been advocating for solutions to the pollution at the U.S./Mexico border though the San Diego Chapter's Clean Border Water Now program.  We're asking Congress to pass the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act, in order to establish a new Geographic Program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The EPA currently manages 12 geographic programs are located in highly sensitive and important areas across the United States.  These programs are long-standing, geographic specific programs that help protect local ecosystems and communities from climate change, habitat loss and pollution through coordinated and holistic management regimes and annual funding.  

We are hopeful that establishing a new EPA Geographic Program in the Tijuana River Watershed can help in protecting clean water in the San Diego/Tijuana transboundary region for the enjoyment and health of all people.  

Visit the Clean Border Water Now page on the Surfrider Foundation San Diego's website to learn more information about the transboundary pollution crisis in the Tijuana River Watershed.