Secure State Dept. Funding for the Intl. Boundary and Water Commission

Every year, billions of gallons of toxic pollution cross the U.S./Mexico border through the Tijuana Watershed bringing untreated sewage, industrial waste, and huge amounts of trash to beaches across south San Diego County and northern Baja California. These flows make beaches unsafe for public use, impair habitat and open space, and lead to multiple illnesses. The southernmost beach in San Diego has been closed for over 650 consecutive days and counting.  The results are detrimental to local economies and pose an enormous public health hazard on both sides of the border.  The pollution disproportionately impacts communities of color, making this an environmental justice issue.  

Surfrider has long been advocating for solutions to the pollution at the U.S./Mexico border though the San Diego Chapter's Clean Border Water Now campaign.  We're asking Congress to fund solutions and help fill the funding gap of over $700 million for the proposed Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution (CIS) - a binational project that would significantly reduce toxic transboundary flows by 95% during the summer months and 76% during wet weather. 

We're also asking the Department of State to provide annual funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission to cover operations and maintenance so that we don't end up in the middle of a public health crisis again. 

We are hopeful that increasing the IBWC budget through the State Dept. can help in protecting clean water in the San Diego/Tijuana border region for the enjoyment and health of all people.  

Visit the Clean Border Water Now page on the Surfrider Foundation San Diego's website to learn more information about the transboundary pollution crisis.