Supervisor Desmond Faces Scrutiny Over Tijuana River Pollution Stance
Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond is facing questions about his position on the Tijuana River pollution crisis. He supported a county-funded feasibility study for a river diversion and cleaning project but opposes the necessary sales tax increase that voters would need…
San Diego, CA, September 14, 2026 — Republican Supervisor Jim Desmond is encountering questions regarding his stance on the ongoing Tijuana River pollution crisis. Desmond’s approach involves support for certain infrastructure studies while maintaining opposition to a specific funding mechanism for a comprehensive solution.
Desmond has backed a feasibility study, financed by the county, which explored options for a river diversion and cleaning project. This study aimed to assess potential strategies for mitigating the cross-border pollution that frequently impacts local communities and ecosystems.
However, the supervisor has voiced strong opposition to a necessary sales tax increase that would require voter approval to secure funding for such a project. His public statements indicate a belief that primary responsibility for addressing the pollution, particularly sewage infrastructure issues, lies with Mexico. Desmond has emphasized the need for Mexico to be held accountable for its role in the crisis.
The specifics regarding the proposed sales tax increase, including the exact rate and its potential impact, were not detailed in the summary. Similarly, the timeline and outcomes of the county-funded feasibility study were not provided. The exact nature of the questions Desmond is facing and the entities posing them were also not specified.
The Tijuana River pollution crisis is a long-standing environmental issue, characterized by the flow of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and trash from Tijuana, Mexico, into the United States, particularly affecting San Diego County. Efforts to address the pollution often involve complex negotiations and funding challenges between local, state, and federal governments, as well as international cooperation.
Desmond’s position highlights a common tension in addressing transboundary environmental problems: the balance between domestic investment in mitigation and infrastructure improvements, and the demand for accountability and action from the originating country.
Story summarized from the original created by MacKenzie Elmer on voiceofsandiego.org, see more information here.
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