Link to Full Press Conference

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, joined by county residents and regional leaders on Coronado Beach Thursday morning announced they submitted their request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate the Tijuana River Valley for possible Superfund designation.

Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors chose to delay submitting a petition with a 3-2 vote, but Supervisor Lawson-Remer didn’t want to delay so she mobilized regional leaders and 500 residents to sign the request that was mailed Thursday morning to the EPA Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman.   

“We submitted our request to the Environmental Protection Agency for them to investigate the Tijuana River Valley for harmful toxins in the soil, sediment, and groundwater,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.  Protecting our beaches, coastlines and the health of our residents have been among my top priorities. We need the EPA to come in here, and tell us once and for all if there is toxic waste in the ground so we have it addressed or take it off the table as an issue for our communities.”

In part, the letter requested the EPA “...immediately investigate the Lower Tijuana River Valley for designation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as the Superfund program…” and stated, “...For nearly eight decades, the 6-mile stretch of the Lower Tijuana River Valley has been drowning in toxic chemicals, industrial waste, and raw sewage flowing across the border, wreaking havoc on the health, environment, and economy of San Diego communities…” It also stated, “...We request the U.S. EPA to investigate the site for eligibility for the Superfund’s National Priority List…Our communities have waited far too long for meaningful action, and now is the time to step up and ensure that federal resources are directed toward this environmental justice crisis…

“The time for half-measures and excuses is over. Our communities have endured decades of toxic exposure, and every day we delay puts more lives at risk. We demand swift, decisive action - everything in our power must be done to secure the resources, protections, and justice our residents deserve. The EPA must act now to designate the Tijuana River Valley as a Superfund site. Our Southbay communities have a right to breathe clean air, drink safe water, and live without fear of contamination. We owe it to every family, every child, and every resident who’s been forced to live with this toxic pollution for far too long.” said Mayor Paloma Aguirre, Imperial Beach.

Citizens also were given a voice in this request for Superfund designation. Five-hundred residents signed the petition, and submitted their personal stories of being impacted by the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis. Some of the stories submitted came from Coronado

“In Coronado we have had so many closures of our beach due to pollution.  I haven’t walked on the sand since I moved here because of the aerosol threat.  IB has taken the hit much harder and it is time to stand up for the Us Navy Seals who have to train in this polluted water. They take antibiotics just so they don’t get sick, but that will have an impact on their bodies over time.” - Malia (92118 - Coronado) 

“The sewage and airborne toxic pollution is an environmental injustice and public health emergency.   It is making people physically ill,  has limited recreational and commercial business activities and is hurting our local economy.   As an immunocompromised senior, I am personally affected because I no longer feel safe bicycling in the Estuary or walking on the beach,  two important elements for my physical and mental well being.  I have also had good friends move because of the crisis, which is another significant loss to me.”  - Sandy (91932 - Imperial Beach)  

“Afraid to be by the water and the sand. Bad smells and health concerns. Afraid to eat the fish that we have fished for.”  - Brenda (92118 - Coronado)   

“We used to walk our dog at the Tijuana River Estuary and visit local restaurants and bars in IB, but the smell and

pollution is so bad that we haven't been for over a year. Also, I used to surf at the Silver Strand State Beach once

a week, but haven't been able to due to high bacteria levels. We also used to love camping at that beach, but it's

not worth it now.” - Carl (92105 - City Heights / San Diego) 

“My husband and I are avid outdoors people and closures/pollution have made the areas in the Tijuana River

valley inaccessible. Not to mention the fumes that have been emanating from the area.” - Sarah (92075 - Del Mar) 

Community leaders and residents present at Thursday’s press conference included  Laura Wilkinson Sinton, an advocate with Stop the Sewage. She said: “Coronado has had two years of closed, polluted beach waters affecting our public health, our families who no longer feel safe swimming and surfing our beaches, and now, our businesses and property values are in the balance. We must pull every lever of government to assure environmental safety and demand this get fixed now.” 

Jack Shu, Chair of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District said “From an air pollution perspective, this is one of the most significant extended air quality crises our region has ever had.”

Marcus Bush, a National City Councilmember and Board member of Air Pollution Control District said, “The Tijuana River sewage contamination is currently the worst environmental and health crisis in the State of California if not the entire nation. As government agencies, it is our obligation to treat this like the emergency it is and use all tools to fix it.”

Gabriel Uribe, a resident with a ranch near the Tijuana River who was not present, offered this input ahead of time, he said: “Enough is Enough. I have no life here on my ranch anymore. I can’t rent my event venue. My health is deteriorating. My livestock are impacted and horses and dogs are getting thinner. There’s definitely something wrong with my well water. We need the federal government to take action now.”

Superfund is a 1980 law that the EPA uses to clean up hazardous waste sites in the United States. Superfund designation provides funding to clean-up pollution, hold responsible parties accountable, while centering communities in the process. Superfund is designed to address toxic waste and the Tijuana River Valley has endured 80 years of wastewater that includes many known toxic substances, making it a strong candidate for Superfund designation. 

Other Superfund sites around the country have many similarities to the Tijuana River Valley: toxic waste characteristics, hazardous substances and nearby neighborhoods and sensitive environments. Similar examples (attached with pictures and details of the site) include: 

1. Gowanus Canal New York City (2010 Superfund Designation)

a.      This canal received just 1/10 of the amount of raw sewage that flows through the Tijuana River. It’s also located in an area that is heavily populated by more than 100,000 residents. 

1. Upper Columbia River Washington/Canada (2024 Superfund Designation)

a.      Like the Tijuana River this site has cross border pollution, where waste from a smelter in Canada flowed down stream and across the border to contaminate communities. 

1. Lower Duwamish Waterway Seattle (2021 Superfund Designation)

Like The Tijuana River this is where saltwater and freshwater mix; and there are sensitive environments and habitats.