EPA chief outlines progress on Tijuana River sewage projects affecting Southern California

Lee Zeldin, head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, returned to San Diego on Feb. 27, turning his attention from cross-border infrastructure to the strains facing local growers during a stop at Jackson Ranch in Valley Center. The visit, his second to the region this month, is part of a broader outreach campaign to gather feedback from farmers nationwide and carry their concerns back to Washington.

During a tour of the hillside avocado operation, grower Robert Jackson told Zeldin that domestic producers are facing mounting financial pressure as Mexican imports weigh on prices. Jackson said growers are losing money per pound harvested and called for a temporary pause on imports during the peak season to support local producers. Zeldin did not outline specific trade actions but said he would share farmers’ concerns with colleagues in the federal government.

Zeldin also provided updates on efforts to address the long-running sewage contamination in the Tijuana River. He said Mexico has secured funding for five of six infrastructure projects scheduled for completion this year, with additional work planned through 2028 to achieve what he described as a permanent solution. On the U.S. side, the EPA plans to expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant from 35 million to 50 million gallons per day, following an earlier upgrade completed in August. A draft proposal for the expansion is expected in April. Zeldin characterized the situation as an environmental emergency requiring significant remediation while noting he remains open to interim measures to reduce cross-border flows.

Sources: CBS 8