Imperial Beach leaders want a portion of the tolls collected from the forthcoming Otay Mesa East border crossing to go toward plugging Tijuana’s leaky sewage system, which routinely pollutes South County communities.
On Sept. 4, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution that urges the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) – the port of entry project’s toll authority – to establish a long-term fund financed by revenues generated by the project and earmark those monies for U.S.-based wastewater infrastructure to address the ongoing sewage crisis.
The resolution states that the “Tijuana River Valley Mitigation Fund should be regularly evaluated and fully financed at a minimum of one percent of the total toll revenues, or $25 million (USD) dollars per year.”
Officials said that while the new border crossing will fuel economic growth and binational trade for the border region, the increased activity will also exacerbate the environmental quality of life of those living and working near where sewage and trash regularly spill over from Mexico into the U.S.
“The time has come for us to be able to use all the leverage and all the tools in our toolbox,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. “This is obviously one that’s very clear to me: you’re incentivizing free commercial, industrial corridors, then we need to make sure that we set aside funding for the negative consequences of all that industrial activity.”
The resolution now heads to SANDAG’s board of directors and its CEO for consideration. It’s unclear how soon the planning agency may consider the issue.
In a statement Friday, SANDAG said it was aware of the resolution and “looks forward to learning more. While state and federal law restrict the use of Otay Mesa East toll revenue, SANDAG and Caltrans is committed to continue working with our local, federal and state partners to prioritize projects that improve quality of life and promote environmental justice throughout the border region.”
Imperial Beach leaders envision funds going toward wastewater infrastructure that the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission manages. New federal legislation now allows the federal agency to receive funding from non-federal entities, such as state and local governments and nonprofits.
Establishing such an earmark for cross-border pollution mitigation would require amending state law, however. Senate Bill 1486 of 2008 authorized SANDAG to build and operate a toll facility on State Route 11 and build the Otay Mesa East port of entry. The legislation requires that U.S. toll revenues be invested in the maintenance, operation or expansion of the $1.3 billion project.
Revenues would be split evenly with Mexico, estimated at $3.6 billion for each country over the next four decades. Mexico has ponied up several hundred million dollars to help complete the development.
The project – over 20 years in the making – has been plagued with delays. San Diego County officials have said the border crossing won’t be open to traffic until 2027. Unlike other ports of entry, such as neighboring San Ysidro, the Otay Mesa East site guarantees an average wait time of 20 minutes thanks to the required toll.
Also known as Otay II, the border crossing will initially have 10 lanes — five for passenger vehicles and five for commercial trucks — with an interchangeable option depending on demand.
Caltrans, which is sponsoring the project with SANDAG, completed the construction of a freeway connector that will link the border region with the new border crossing.
Imperial Beach City Councilmember Jack Fisher, who represents the city on the SANDAG board, spearheaded with his colleague, Councilmember Mitch McKay, the resolution to send to the planning agency.
Their efforts started in July when Fisher pleaded with the SANDAG board to agree to the creation of a temporary group that could look at how the border crossing project could offer some help to alleviate the sewage crisis. Board members agreed, suggesting then the creation of the mitigation fund.
“My children have never had the opportunity to spend lots of time on the beach,” Fisher told the board in July. “I’ve not touched the water in Imperial Beach in two years. I’m not alone. We’re two, three generations of families who have not had the opportunity. When we talk about equity, this is not equity in my opinion.”
Imperial Beach residents applauded the City Council’s approval of the resolution last week.
“In June of 1976 was the first time I represented the city of Imperial Beach on sewage problems,” said Brian Bilbray, former mayor of the city and Congress member. “And in all this time, I have not seen a proposal that has finally, finally created the nexus between the economic prosperity and profit at the border and this environmental disaster.”
Aguirre said she would lead efforts to advocate for state legislation amendments so that toll revenues can also go toward addressing cross-border pollution.
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