Today, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre announced a l proposal advancing immediate infrastructure action at the Saturn Boulevard hotspot, alongside critical public health studies, accelerating the County’s response to the Tijuana River sewage crisis. 

The proposal, which will go before the full Board of Supervisors on January 28, reflects months of work by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis and calls for the allocation of $4.75 million from the Unlocked Reserves Framework. This funding is designed to bypass federal and state gridlock, providing direct investments to reduce toxic exposure in the near term while also generating the data necessary to fully understand long-term health impacts and guide future interventions. 

A central component of the proposal is $2.5 million for a temporary infrastructure fix at the Saturn Boulevard hotspot, a known source of toxic airborne emissions. The project would construct a temporary pipe extension designed to reduce turbulence and limit the aerosolization of hydrogen sulfide and other potentially harmful compounds.

“The Tijuana River sewage crisis requires both long-term solutions and action now,” said Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “We’re moving on both tracks at once, advancing permanent fixes while taking immediate steps to reduce the toxic exposure San Diegans face every day.”

“For too long, our communities have been told there was nothing to be done, it isn’t that big of a deal, and to wait for someone else to fix it. That narrative is not only, unequivocally false, but an insult to the residents feeling the effect of the pollution every single day. We have to do something now—the days of downplaying and brushing this crisis under the rug are over,” said Supervisor Paloma Aguirre. “We’re proposing a $2.5 million temporary fix for the Saturn Boulevard hotspot that will immediately improve the air our families breathe while we wait for funding to do the permanent fix. This isn't just a sewage issue; it’s a public health emergency, and it’s time we fund it like one.”

Click HERE to review the board letter

Watch full press conference here.

 Subcommittee’s Proposal, Which Includes:

·        $2,500,000 for Saturn Boulevard Infrastructure: Capital funding to construct a temporary pipe extension to mitigate toxic airborne emissions at a known sewage "hotspot."

·        $2,000,000 for a Long-Term Epidemiological Study: A comprehensive, multi-year health study to track and quantify the health outcomes of residents exposed to chronic contamination.

·        $250,000 for a Retrospective Health Study: An immediate analysis of historical health data to identify existing patterns of illness linked to the river valley.

·        Strategic Partnerships: Formalizing agreements with the City of San Diego and the U.S. Navy to expedite construction and site access.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on this measure during the Tuesday, January 28 legislative session.