(DailyChive.com) – California lawmakers unanimously pass resolution urging President Trump to declare a state of emergency as toxic Tijuana River sewage crisis reaches catastrophic levels with over 1,000 consecutive days of beach closures.
Key Takeaways
- California Assembly’s Environmental Safety Committee unanimously approved AJR 16, requesting President Trump declare a federal emergency over the Tijuana River sewage crisis
- Since 2018, over 200 billion gallons of toxic sewage have flowed into the U.S., with Imperial Beach closed for more than 1,000 consecutive days
- UC San Diego studies confirm dangerous pollutants including methamphetamine are being aerosolized, creating a public health emergency for border communities
- Despite $703 million in federal funding secured so far, lawmakers argue a presidential emergency declaration is needed to fully address the $610 million infrastructure solution
- The crisis has forced Navy SEAL training cancellations and created economic devastation in border communities
California Lawmakers Turn to Trump After Years of Failed Solutions
In a dramatic escalation of California’s battle against cross-border pollution, state lawmakers have unanimously approved a resolution urging President Donald Trump to declare a federal state of emergency over the catastrophic Tijuana River sewage crisis. The Assembly’s Environmental Safety Committee passed Assembly Joint Resolution 16 (AJR 16) in early July 2025, sending it to the full Assembly for consideration. This bipartisan move comes after years of ineffective federal response under the previous administration, with border communities suffering what lawmakers describe as “environmental injustice” of historic proportions.
Assemblymember David Alvarez, who sponsored the resolution, didn’t mince words about the severity of the situation. “This is a public health emergency that has been ignored for far too long,” Alvarez stated. “Our communities have endured over 1,000 consecutive days of beach closures, airborne pathogens, and devastating economic losses. The federal government’s failure to adequately address this crisis has left us with no choice but to seek emergency intervention from President Trump.”
Toxic Nightmare: 200 Billion Gallons and Counting
The scale of the environmental disaster is staggering. According to the official text of AJR 16, more than 200 billion gallons of toxic effluent have flowed into the United States via the Tijuana River since October 2018. This relentless tide of pollution has transformed what was once a pristine coastal region into an environmental catastrophe zone, with Imperial Beach suffering more than 1,000 consecutive days of closures – the longest continuous beach closure in American history.
The crisis extends far beyond water pollution. Recent studies from UC San Diego have confirmed that pollutants from the sewage are being aerosolized, exposing residents to airborne contaminants including methamphetamine at levels that could affect marine life. This revelation has transformed what was already a water quality emergency into a comprehensive public health crisis affecting air quality throughout border communities. Residents report unbearable odors forcing families to relocate, while businesses dependent on tourism face economic ruin.
Federal Negligence and Bureaucratic Failure
The resolution places significant blame on the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC), accusing the agency of systematically underfunding plant maintenance by $36 million between 2011 and 2021. This neglect has resulted in violations of the Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, with federal authorities essentially allowing an ongoing environmental crime to continue unabated for years.
“While taxpayers fund endless foreign aid and illegal immigrant benefits, American citizens living along our southern border have been abandoned to live with raw sewage and toxic chemicals,” said Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) during a November 2024 visit to the region. “The State Department’s failure to hold Mexico accountable for this environmental disaster is unconscionable. Our military readiness is even being compromised, with Navy SEAL training canceled more than 20 times due to contaminated waters.”
Billions Allocated, But Emergency Powers Needed
Despite Governor Newsom securing $250 million in federal funding in December 2024 to repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, bringing total federal allocations to $703 million, lawmakers argue these piecemeal solutions are insufficient. The EPA’s Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution requires approximately $610 million for full implementation, along with sustained operational support that only presidential emergency powers can guarantee.
“This isn’t just an environmental catastrophe – it’s an environmental injustice of historic proportions,” said Matt O’Malley, Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper. “Communities along the border have been treated as sacrifice zones, expected to endure toxic exposure while federal agencies point fingers and delay action. The children growing up in these communities deserve the same clean air and water as any other American.”
California Taking Matters Into Its Own Hands
While awaiting federal action, California has launched several initiatives to mitigate the crisis. In June 2025, the California Senate passed a legislative package including SB 10 and SB 594 to protect the Tijuana River Watershed. Additionally, Governor Newsom announced a $4.7 million pilot project in December 2024 to deploy trash booms that intercept debris before it reaches sensitive ecological areas.
The state has also allocated $2.7 million for air purifiers in affected homes, a stopgap measure that acknowledges the airborne contamination crisis but falls far short of addressing root causes. Meanwhile, Mexico has begun construction on a $33 million wastewater treatment plant, though critics note this represents a fraction of what’s needed to address the volume of sewage currently flowing across the border.
Political Implications of Trump Emergency Request
The request for President Trump to declare an emergency represents a significant political shift. In 2023, bipartisan members of Congress urged then-President Biden to declare a state of emergency, but that request went unheeded as the crisis continued to worsen. Now, California lawmakers – even in a predominantly Democratic state – are turning to the Republican administration for help, underscoring both the severity of the crisis and the failure of previous federal responses.
If President Trump declares an emergency, it would unlock significant federal resources and emergency powers, potentially allowing for expedited construction, military assistance, and direct federal management of the crisis. It would also represent a political victory for the administration in California, demonstrating Trump’s willingness to address environmental disasters affecting blue states when previous administrations failed to act decisively.
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