WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the below statement following a virtual public information meeting hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA shared with the public its analyses of several proposed major projects designed to address transboundary wastewater pollution in the San Diego/Tijuana region, in accordance with the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) treaty legislation.

“Yesterday, I participated in a two-hour briefing on the five primary projects being evaluated by the EPA to address the ongoing ecological catastrophe of transboundary wastewater flowing into Tijuana River watershed – a crisis that has plagued our border communities for decades. I was encouraged by the EPA’s commitment to streamline the environmental review and design processes as much as possible by evaluating the options simultaneously. I encourage the agency to move as swiftly as possible to project selection so we can break ground and fix this awful problem.

“I thank the EPA for its transparency, engagement and commitment to finding the right solutions that make the best use of the money San Diego’s congressional delegation worked hard to secure as part of the USMCA. More than 100 people participated in today’s meeting and asked dozens of questions, illustrating how important this is to these communities.”

On Thursday, the EPA held a briefing for stakeholders in advance of today’s public information meeting. Rep. Peters participated in the Thursday briefing and his staff was present at today’s public meeting.

Last year, San Diego’s congressional delegation successfully fought to secure a new authorization of $300 million in the USMCA implementing legislation for projects to address sewage pollution on the U.S.-Mexico border. This was a huge victory for the San Diego region and was the result of consistent and coordinated advocacy by the congressional delegation and local elected and community leaders.