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-Editorial
In a decisive move to tackle decades of pollution in the New River, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors has ratified a letter of support for the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2024 that seeks to address the severe water quality issues impacting the Tijuana River and New River watersheds.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has thrown its full support behind the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act of 2024, a federal initiative aimed at addressing decades of severe pollution in the New River. In a letter to Congressman Vargas, Chairman Luis Plancarte expressed the Board’s appreciation for the legislation, describing it as a critical step forward in tackling a longstanding environmental and public health crisis.
“This important legislation would create a desperately needed program designed to improve coordination and strategic planning between federal, state, and local agencies,” Plancarte wrote. “It addresses systemic water infrastructure and pollution issues that have plagued the New River for far too long.”
The New River, flowing from Mexicali through Calexico and into the Salton Sea, has long been a source of hazardous pollutants, including pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Hepatitis. These contaminants pose a daily health risk to residents and workers in the area, particularly those in west Calexico.
The river’s pollution has devastated local ecosystems, threatening wildlife and contributing to the ongoing deterioration of the Salton Sea. Moreover, it has stymied economic development by driving down property values, deterring business investment, and halting viable residential and commercial projects.
“In addition to the threats to public health and the environment, the polluted New River has significantly hindered economic development opportunities within Imperial County, particularly in the area west of Calexico,” Plancarte said. “This pollution has undoubtedly contributed to the loss of businesses, declining real estate values, and the halt of otherwise viable residential and commercial development. Addressing these systemic problems requires a long-term, multifaceted effort that builds on existing initiatives and involves collaboration among many agencies and institutions.”
Introduced by Congressman Juan Vargas and cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, among others, the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act designates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead agency to coordinate efforts to clean up the New River and the Tijuana River watershed. The bill proposes a comprehensive approach to water quality management by establishing a new EPA Geographic Program to develop and implement a water quality management plan for the New River watershed, codifying the U.S.-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) to secure federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, and requiring collaboration with key stakeholders such as the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the Calexico New River Committee, and local organizations.
The legislation builds on the California-Mexico Border Relations Council’s efforts and aligns with recommendations from the 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on water quality issues. It calls for the EPA to consult with state, local, and nonprofit partners to implement effective solutions, including constructing and maintaining priority water infrastructure projects.
“Addressing these systemic problems will require a long-term, multifaceted effort involving collaboration at every level,” Plancarte emphasized. “This bill provides the framework to make that possible.”
In his letter, Plancarte applauded the provisions of the bill that ensure federal appropriations for critical projects and support local efforts to restore the New River. He also highlighted the importance of codifying BWIP, which would facilitate the distribution of funds to partners involved in cleanup efforts.
