Community Voices

"I'm a surfer. I don't smoke. I don't drink. If [I'm being hospitalized for struggling to breathe], it's happening to dozens, if not hundreds, of people that are being exposed to this [pollution].

Paloma Aguirre, Chair Pro Tem, San Diego County Board of Supervisors

“As a kid, my friends and I would surf the coast during the summer and then return to our desert home. Now that I have children of my own, it hurts my heart to see the pollution in this area and how it prevents my children from freely playing in the water. I want my children and their children to have the freedom to play in the water without fear of contaminants. We all need to do our part to clean and heal the ocean and environment in general for future generations.”

TAWNIA S., EL CAJON RESIDENT

“I was born on the Atlantic Coast, grew up on the Pacific Coast, lived on the coast of Alaska and now live two miles from Imperial Beach. I grieve the state of the ocean in general and particularly here where sewage and biohazards are closing the beach to swimming and surfing. I’ve learned that the situation here along the Tijuana river Watershed is a longstanding issue. My message to people in power is get together and work out a sustainable solution for people suffering from the toxins in the air and water, today and for generations to come. Declare a state of emergency, fund infrastructure, declare a superfund site to clean up the decades of hazardous waste.”

Elizabeth W., South San Diego Resident

“My breathing has significantly deteriorated due to the air pollution and spray of polluted water. We have not been able to open our windows due to the stench from the ocean. We haven't been able to eat with guests outside. We no longer walk our dog on the beach. Also, our evening walks were stopped during the summer. We’ve given up swimming in the ocean and hardly ever go to the beach. The biggest impact has been upon omy breathing.”

Gary B., Imperial Beach resident

“I miss surfing in Imperial Beach and Coronado. I have personally been sick with cold symptoms in April after surfing at Coronado beach. My daughter is on the surf team and is unable to practice and compete at her home beach.”

Peter J., Coronado resident

“I’ve lived in my home 47 years and raised 4 children. We all love our ocean and had many days surfing and swimming in Imperial Beach. My kids still love IB. It’s so sad to have a beach so close and not be able to go in the water. No long walks with pups. The smell we have endured has been horrific. We’ve all had sore throats, headaches, and stomach problems from breathing all the toxins in the air. We implore our representatives to please, please, please help us. Our local businesses have suffered as well. Help us."

Lou ann S., South Bay resident

“I get the smell extremely strong in the evenings and mornings to the point it is hard to breathe. Over the last three months I have started hacking up large amounts of phlegm and thick snot due to inhaling the impurities in the air. Sometimes I feel it is hard to breathe and I experience headaches as well. Also, I am unable to use the ocean in Imperial Beach or have my dog, friends, or family use it due to the pollution.”

Nicholas T., Nestor resident

“It’s important to have clean air to breathe and clean water so that we can swim and have marine life. I have been seeing a decline in my health. I have migraines that have now become chronic. I have been getting 25+ migraine days per month and it has been difficult to enjoy life. I feel like everyone's health would improve and we would have more tourism to help out our community if we had clean air and water. Our families and children are in danger and this needs to stop. My throat has been closing up and wheezing which I have never experienced before.”

Elena T., Nestor resident

“Water is a human right and clean water is essential for the health, wellness and livelihood of communities and wilderness. American Rivers listed the Tijuana River on 2024’s list of America’s most endangered rivers to help bring attention to this ongoing environmental crisis and demand action. It is our responsibility to speak up for our rivers and waters. Life depends on rivers and all life of the Tijuana River Watershed deserves access to clean air and water.”

Chantel D., Nevada, Member of American Rivers

en_USEnglish
es_ESSpanish en_USEnglish

Artist Credit: Josué Baltézar (he/him) is an artist and designer who believes art should be accessible to everyone. He understands the crucial role that art and design play in advocating for environmental and social justice. This design for the Tijuana River Coalition brings together various elements to symbolize the dedication to advocacy for and protection of the Tijuana River region, which includes both sides of the US/MX border. A mountain sits prominently in the center, with two houses at its base, representing our communities on both sides of the border. The Tijuana River flows through the mountains and down into the foreground, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. On the left and right of the mountains are native plants, including giant kelp on the left and prickly pear cactus on the right. Above the mountains, a brown pelican and a monarch butterfly fly toward a radiating sun. The design aims to convey a sense of interconnectedness and call attention to the need to protect our natural environment and the communities along the entire Tijuana River region.

Photography on this site by Surfrider Foundation and Veriditas Rising | Special thanks to Edgar Ontiveras Medina

Please join us in calling on CA elected officials to take decisive action now by signing and sharing this petition!

Sign Here!