On August 19, Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla and Representative Raul Ruiz sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers opposing a proposal to deauthorize environmental infrastructure projects for the New River and Imperial County, which carry $20 million in federal funding for wastewater infrastructure addressing contaminated cross-border flow into Calexico.
In the letter, lawmakers state that the projects do not meet the statutory criteria for deauthorization, citing an estimated 60 million gallons of water crossing the border daily, documented pollutants including fecal coliform, arsenic, selenium, and elevated hydrogen sulfide levels. In addition, they called out concerns over high pediatric asthma rates detected near the river. They also reference Environmental Protection Agency commitment, made in April, to apply its Tijuana River response model to the New River. The deauthorization proposal must go before Congress for final approval. The lawmakers urge the Corps to consult with the California delegation, Imperial County, and the City of Calexico before proceeding.
For additional information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Eric Will.