EPA administrator visits San Diego to address Tijuana River sewage crisis | NBC 7 San Diego

Summary

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon recently toured the ongoing sewage crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, focusing on the Tijuana River and its impact on nearby communities. Starting his day at the troubled South Bay wastewater treatment plant, which is under simultaneous expansion and repair, Zeldon met with Mexican officials to discuss long-needed solutions. A significant emphasis was placed on creating an actionable list of tasks to mitigate the environmental and public health issues caused by untreated sewage. Zeldon's visit, amid local protests and colorful messages, underscored the urgency of the problem, aiming to finalize plans within hours rather than weeks for alleviating the crisis that has plagued the area for decades.

Highlights

• EPA's Lee Zeldon took a tour to witness the sewage crisis at the border 🌐.
• Zeldon started his tour at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant 🔧.
• Officials aim to create a comprehensive solution with Mexican counterparts 🇲🇽.
• Zeldon's schedule included a helicopter tour and meeting with influential officials 🚁.
• Local protesters and residents showcased their frustration with the ongoing issues 🙋.

Key Takeaways

• EPA's Lee Zeldon visits to address sewage crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border 🌊.
• Focus on South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades and Tijuana River issues 🌱.
• Joint U.S.-Mexico efforts sought for sewage problem solutions 🤝.
• Zeldon emphasizes urgency, seeking immediate actionable plans ⏰.
• Local protest highlights ongoing community frustration 😡.

Overview

In an effort to tackle the persistent environmental and public health challenge posed by untreated sewage at the U.S.-Mexico border, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon embarked on a comprehensive tour of the affected areas. His journey began at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is currently undergoing repairs and expansions. This facility is pivotal in addressing the sewage overflow from Mexico that impacts both the Tijuana River and local beaches. Zeldon was accompanied by key figures such as Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Garry and other dignitaries, underlining the collective push for solutions to this decades-old problem.

During his visit, Zeldon prioritized discussions with Mexican officials, aiming for a bilateral approach to solving the sewage crisis. The meeting centered on establishing an urgent and practical list of remedies to be executed promptly, underscoring the need for swift cooperation. His commentary on the enduring sewage odor resonated with the frustrations of thousands who have lived under its influence for years, stressing an immediate response. A message etched in the sand reminded Zeldon of the dire situation, showing a community desperate for change.

Amidst the tours and talks, the presence of local protests highlighted the community's deep-seated impatience and demand for action. Zeldon's agenda also included a helicopter overview of the region, emphasizing the breadth of the issue and the need for high-level intervention. The day marked a significant moment not only due to political clout but the sheer urgency exhibited by stakeholders across both borders. Yet, as historical precedent shows, the path to resolution demands more than words—it calls for proof through immediate, tangible actions.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Greeting The chapter discusses a visit by US Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldon to the sewage crisis at the border. Joe Little from NBC7 reports from the Tijuana River Valley detailing the visit. Zeldon started his tour at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is currently undergoing expansion and repairs. Following this, he continued his tour to observe the situation further.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Tour of South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon took a tour of the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant at 7 in the morning, joined by Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Garry and other dignitaries. The tour included a briefing on the repairs and expansion efforts aimed at treating raw sewage from Mexico. The visit is significant to residents along the Tijuana River who have been eager for attention to the issue. Additionally, Zeldon met with the Mexican commissioner to the IWBC.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Meeting with Mexican Counterparts The chapter discusses a meeting with Mexican counterparts aimed at addressing the issue of raw sewage contaminating the river and beaches on both sides of the border. The meeting's objective is to establish a reliable and actionable plan to tackle the issue, with the goal of having a comprehensive list of actions that, once completed, would resolve the problem. Currently, no concrete plan is in place, leading to inquiries about the views and insights of key individuals like Zeldon.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Administrator's Comments on the Situation The chapter discusses the comments of an administrator on a problematic situation that the public has dealt with for decades. The administrator acknowledges the persistence of a particularly offensive smell and refuses to downplay its severity. This issue pertains to public health and environmental standards, aligning with the core mission of the EPA. Following his statements, the administrator visited a Navy Seals training base located north of Imperial Beach.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Helicopter Tour and Public Response The chapter titled 'Helicopter Tour and Public Response' revolves around a helicopter tour of an area where someone used rocks to leave a message in the sand, addressed to Lee, saying 'God help us.' It's uncertain whether Lee Zelda saw this message. Additionally, an administrator named Zeldon has urgently requested a list of repairs needed with Mexico, demanding it within hours instead of days or weeks. The events of the day were not limited to observational activities; there was also a modest protest at a treatment plant.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Significance of the Visit The chapter titled 'Significance of the Visit' explores a day of considerable importance as reported by Joe Little from NBC7, covering an event at the Tijuana River Valley. Joe notes the significance of the day, illustrated by the numerous influential voices involved, including high-ranking officials. The presence of Administrator Zeldon, who is noted to be 'one step up the ladder', emphasizes the weight of the occasion. The chapter implies the import of the event through insights into the layered networks of officials and communicators involved.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Conclusion The chapter discusses the ongoing pollution problem that transcends party politics, highlighting the presence of power and influence below the White House. Despite a bipartisan presence of congressmen addressing the issue, there remains a public demand for proof of progress, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the problem. The sentiment is hopeful yet cautious after decades of efforts.

EPA administrator visits San Diego to address Tijuana River sewage crisis | NBC 7 San Diego Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 US Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldon took his much anticipated tour of the sewage crisis along our border today. NBC7's Joe Little is in the Tijuana River Valley to show us what happened. Joe, good afternoon ladies. Lee Zeldon started his tour at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant behind me here. It's under construction. It's being expanded and repaired at the same time. But after that, he also took a tour and took in the sights and smells
• 00:30 - 01:00 of the Tijuana River, which everyone who lives down here really wanted him to do. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldon started at 7 this morning with a tour of the embattled South Bay wastewater treatment plant. Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Garry and other dignitaries joined him on the tour. This one right here is we call Stewarts and JB1, which included a briefing on the repairs and expansion of the plant that's supposed to clean raw sewage from Mexico. Mexican commissioner to the IWBC. Zeldon also met with his
• 01:00 - 01:30 Mexican counterparts on a method to figure out how to finally fix the raw sewage ruining the river and beaches on both sides of the border. Whenever it rains through here, he wants everything that needs to be done spelled out now so they can start tackling it now. We want to have a list that we are all with full confidence that if everything on that list gets done, the situation is solved. There's no plan in place. Not yet. So I asked Zeldon the next thing everyone wanted to know. What does he think of
• 01:30 - 02:00 the smell? I can't imagine living with it. Yet thousands have for decades. I am not going to stand before you right now and sugarcoat uh that that smell and tell you that the situation as it relates to public health and the environment which is the core mission of EPA that this is a situation that can be tolerated. After speaking with us, the administrator visited the base where Navy Seals trained just north of Imperial Beach. He then took a
• 02:00 - 02:30 helicopter tour of the area. Someone used rocks to leave him a message in the sand. Lee, God help us. Not sure if Lee Zelda got a chance to see that. However, administrator Zeldon did say he wants that list of fixes with Mexico in his hands within the next few hours, not days or weeks, hours. We look forward to seeing that list. Now, today wasn't all about show and tell down here near the river. There was a modest protest here at the treatment plant and the Zeldon also had
• 02:30 - 03:00 some colorful language. I'll have all of that for you coming up at five o'clock. Until then, reporting live in the Tijuana River Valley, Joe Little, NBC7. Hey Joe, you have been covering this very closely for a very long time. Does it feel like a significant day in your opinion based on everything you've seen? I would say it definitely feels significant only because of how many voices and how far up the ladder they go. Administrator Zeldon is one step
• 03:00 - 03:30 below the White House. There is power there. There is influence there. And there was also a failance of congressmen right behind him from both sides of the aisle. This is not party politics. This is a pollution problem impacting thousands of people every day. So, I I want to be hopeful, but still, we've been doing this for decades now, so I still need to see proof. And I think a lot of people feel that way as well. Yeah, I think you summed it up perfectly. All right, Joe. Thanks. Appreciate it.