California lawmakers are urging a national emergency declaration over the worsening sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley, demanding immediate action from President Trump to safeguard public health and the environment.
At a Glance
- California urges Trump to declare a national emergency over sewage spills from Mexico.
- Unanimous support for AJR 16 in the Assembly’s Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
- Imperial Beach was heavily impacted, highlighting the urgent need for federal intervention.
- Over 200 billion gallons of toxic water has flowed across the border since 2018.
Decades-Long Crisis Now Unbearable
California lawmakers are pressing President Trump to declare a national emergency due to the escalating sewage pollution from Mexico affecting the Tijuana River Valley. This environmental catastrophe has extended its toxic fingers into border communities, causing severe public health threats and environmental damage. The contamination has already led to urgent Assembly legislation, AJR 16, which progresses towards a full assembly vote after receiving unanimous approval in the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
Assemblymember David Alvarez has been vocal about the dire need for a national declaration to mitigate the ongoing environmental injustice, highlighting the impacts on public health, local economies, and the environment. His urgent calls reflect the dire reality that communities have endured prolonged exposure to this pollution, from beach closures to the crippling effects on tourism and public health.
Trump: ‘Mexico Has A Faulty Sewage System That’s Dumping Sewage Into Our Part Of The Ocean’
Ground Zero: Imperial Beach’s Struggle
Imperial Beach stands as a stark example of the crisis’s severity, having been one of the most affected regions. Beach closures have become a grim norm due to rampant pollution. This necessitates urgent federal funding for essential EPA infrastructure plans meant to curb these toxic spills. The New River and its polluted waters also call for immediate treatment and investment, making federal intervention more crucial than ever.
“This is not just a water issue. Study upon study have found that it is a public health emergency, which demands a national response. We are calling on President Donald J. Trump and Congress to act with the urgency and scale that this disaster demands.” – Assemblymember David Alvarez
Despite the urgency, Governor Gavin Newsom’s visit to the area for a wastewater treatment plant groundbreaking has yet to result in an emergency declaration. Meanwhile, the waters continue to pose serious risks to Imperial Beach and its surroundings, with over 100 billion gallons of contaminated water affecting the area since 2018.
Unmet Federal Response
Federal engagement is critical, as highlighted by visits from Lee Zeldin, former Trump EPA administrator, calling Mexico to action over the sewage issue. The response from federal entities remains underwhelming amidst this growing emergency. Communities like Imperial Beach, San Ysidro, and Calexico, have long been environmental battlegrounds. Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez rightly chips in, emphasizing the significant health issues linked to river pollution, and calls for federal action.
“The people of Imperial County have lived with the impacts of New River pollution for far too long. This is not just an environmental concern—it’s a public health challenge that affects our communities every day. I respectfully urge the federal government to recognize the seriousness of this crisis and to declare a national emergency. With federal partnership, we can work together to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier future for families on both sides of our border.” – California Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez
