Imperial Beach leaders want a portion of the tolls collected at the upcoming Otay Mesa East border crossing to go toward plugging Tijuana’s leaky sewer system, which routinely pollutes South County communities.
On September 4, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the tolling authority for the Port of Entry project, to establish a long-term fund financed by revenue generated by the project and allocate that money to U.S.-based wastewater infrastructure to address the ongoing wastewater crisis.
The resolution states that the “Tijuana River Valley Mitigation Fund must be periodically evaluated and fully funded with a minimum of one percent of total toll revenues, or $25 million (USD) per year.”
Officials said that while the new border crossing will boost economic growth and binational trade for the border region, the increased activity will also exacerbate the environmental quality of life for those who live and work near where sewage and trash regularly spill from Mexico into the U.S.
“The time has come for us to be able to use all the leverage and all the tools at our disposal,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre. “Obviously, this is something that I’m very clear about: If you’re going to incentivize free commercial and industrial corridors, then we need to make sure that we’re setting aside funds for the negative consequences of all that industrial activity.”
The resolution now heads to SANDAG’s board of directors and executive director for consideration. It’s unclear how soon the planning agency will be able to 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 toll revenues from Otay Mesa East, SANDAG and Caltrans are committed to continuing to work 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 expect the funds to go toward wastewater infrastructure managed by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission. New federal legislation now allows the federal agency to receive funding from nonfederal entities, such as state and local governments and nonprofit organizations.
However, establishing such an appropriation for transboundary pollution mitigation would require amending state law. Senate Bill 1486 of 2008 authorized SANDAG to construct 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 spent on maintaining, operating or expanding the $1.3 billion project.
The proceeds would be shared equally with Mexico, and are estimated to amount to $3.6 billion for each country over the next four decades. Mexico has contributed several hundred million dollars to help complete the development.
The Otay Mesa East border crossing, also known as Otay II, will be used for both vehicular and commercial crossings between the United States and Mexico. From a hillside along the border wall, looking west toward the construction of the Otay II project in Colonia Las Torres on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Tijuana, Baja California. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
20 years of management
The project, more than 20 years in the making, has been plagued by 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 mandatory tolling.
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 based on demand.
Caltrans, which is sponsoring the project with SANDAG, has completed construction of a highway connector that will link the border region to the new border crossing.
Imperial Beach City Councilman Jack Fisher, who represents the city on the SANDAG board, co-sponsored the resolution with fellow Councilman Mitch McKay to be sent to the planning agency.
Their efforts began in July, when Fisher pleaded with the SANDAG board to agree to create a temporary group that could study how the border crossing project could offer some help to alleviate the wastewater crisis. Board members agreed and then suggested the creation of the mitigation fund.
“My kids have never had the opportunity to spend a lot of time at the beach,” Fisher told the board in July. “I haven’t touched the water at Imperial Beach in two years. I’m not alone. We’re two, three generations of families that haven’t had the opportunity. When we talk about equity, this is not equity in my opinion.”
Imperial Beach residents applauded the City Council’s passage of the resolution last week.
“June 1976 was the first time I represented the city of Imperial Beach on a sewage issue,” said Brian Bilbray, a former mayor of the city and member of Congress. “And in all that time, I have not seen a proposal that has finally created the link between economic prosperity and profits on the border and this environmental disaster.”
Aguirre said he would lead efforts to advocate for amendments to state legislation so that toll revenues could also be used to address cross-border pollution.
Original story:
Otay Mesa East border crossing to make billions in toll revenue. Should some of it go to fix sewage crisis?
