We love San Diego for our beaches and coastlines. But in the fight to protect them from pollution, I had to leave them 2,600 miles behind this week to urge decision makers in Washington, D.C. to ramp up their efforts to solve the international disaster that is the Tijuana River Valley environmental catastrophe. 

SD in DC on TJ

Put this in the category of breaking news we already know: The Tijuana River is one of the ten most threatened waterways in the U.S., according to a report released this month by American Rivers, a nonprofit focused on protecting the health of our country’s rivers.

That’s why I was in our nation’s capital this week to advocate for immediate federal resources to help San Diego County protect our ocean, beaches, and coastlines from toxic pollution. Click HERE to watch our press conference from D.C.

I’m pleased to report that with the help of local Congressional Representatives Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, we have secured $156 million to help with maintenance for operating and maintaining the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

But there is still a lot more work to be done. I look forward to continuing to work with San Diego’s congressional delegation to secure $310 million more needed to fix and expand the plant.

A Little Time with Small Businesses

Let’s zoom back in on San Diego. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our region’s economy. Representing nearly half of all employment in the U.S., mom-and-pop shops are crucial to the health and prosperity of our communities.

I recently had the pleasure to visit two unique small businesses in Little Italy – Frost Me Café and Bakery and Stefanie Bales Fine Art – to learn more about them and help showcase their products and services. 

I hope you’ll give them a try, and support other small businesses in your neighborhood!

In service,

Terra