RESOLUTION NO. __________
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL
10 REGARDING TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY POLLUTION
MITIGATION
WHEREAS, the Tijuana River Valley has long suffered from severe environmental degradation due to transboundary pollution, including untreated sewage, industrial waste, and other contaminants that flow from Tijuana, Mexico, into the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is the largest coastal wetland and one of the few remaining salt marshes in Southern California, making it a critical ecological area for native wildlife and water quality protection; and
WHEREAS, communities in South San Diego C ounty, including Imperial Beach and Chula Vista, have been disproportionately impacted by the pollution crisis, experiencing elevated rates of respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal diseases, and skin conditions linked to exposure to contaminated water and air; and
WHEREAS, the rapid economic expansion in the U.S.-Mexico border region, driven by trade agreements such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), has increased industrial production, cross-border transportation, and waste generation, exacerbating pollution in the Tijuana River Valley; and
WHEREAS, despite the construction of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in 1996, ongoing infrastructure deficiencies, unexpected high flows, and lack of long-term funding have left the facility overwhelmed, resulting in an estimated 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage being dumped into the Tijuana River over the past five years; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, Congress allocated $300 million through the USMCA for infrastructure improvements to mitigate transboundary flows, and in 2024, Congress appropriated an additional $156 million to address pollution issues, yet there remains no ongoing and reliable funding source to maintain operations of the SBIWTP; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) seeks to establish a dedicated and permanent funding source to mitigate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana River Valley by allowing toll revenues from the proposed East Otay Mesa Port of Entry to be used for environmental restoration, wastewater infrastructure, and related projects that benefit residents of San Diego County; and
WHEREAS, ensuring a sustainable funding mechanism to combat pollution in the Tijuana River Valley is essential to protecting public health, nat ural resources, and the regional economy for Chula Vista and surrounding communities.
Resolution No. ________
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it expresses its strong support for SB 10 and urges the California Legislature and Governor to enact this critical legislation to secure a long -term solution to the ongoing environmental and public health crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.
Presented by Approved as to form by
Michael Inzunza Marco A. Verdugo
Councilmember, District 3 City Attorney