The County of San Diego has declared a county wide emergency and is calling for a federal state of emergency for the US/Mexico border pollution crisis. This demand was urged by Surfrider after Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre made the original request, which has been formally supported by every single Mayor in San Diego County. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of this motion, which was brought forward by Supervisors Vargas and Lawson-Remer, during their meeting on Tuesday, June 27th. The
motion proclaims a county-wide emergency, making more resources and services available to address the issue, as well as requests a federal state of emergency declaration. A federal state of emergency declaration could free up additional funding required to improve border water infrastructure and significantly reduce the amount of transboundary pollution and beach closures experienced throughout South San Diego County. It’s more likely our Governor and President will hear us as the county becomes one of many chiming in on this issue.