HR4357-119

What This Bill Does

The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act addresses severe water pollution flowing from Mexico into the United States through the Tijuana River and New River watersheds. It establishes formal EPA Geographic Programs to coordinate cleanup efforts, provides federal funding for wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and pollution control infrastructure on both sides of the border. The bill responds to decades of environmental crisis, including over 1,000 consecutive days of beach closures at Imperial Beach due to sewage contamination.

Who Benefits and How

Southern California border communities (Imperial Beach, San Diego, Calexico, and the Imperial Valley) benefit through improved water quality, reduced beach closures, and protection from public health hazards caused by untreated sewage and industrial pollution. Border Patrol agents gain safer working conditions in areas currently affected by contaminated flows. Local governments, tribal nations, and water districts receive access to federal grants and technical assistance for infrastructure projects. Environmental stakeholders benefit from restoration of the Tijuana River estuary and wildlife habitat.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Federal taxpayers fund the programs, with $50 million per year authorized for each program (Tijuana River and New River) from 2026-2036. EPA and other federal agencies must coordinate complex multi-jurisdictional planning and project management. Mexican government entities are expected to partner on cross-border projects, though they may receive US funding for infrastructure located in Mexico that reduces pollution flowing north.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the "Tijuana River Public Health and Water Quality Restoration Program" as an EPA Geographic Program with a dedicated Program Director
• Creates a parallel "New River Water Quality Restoration Program" for the Calexico-Imperial Valley region
• Authorizes the International Boundary and Water Commission to study, design, construct, and maintain stormwater and water quality projects in cooperation with Mexico
• Provides $50 million annually for each program (2026-2036) for grants to states, tribes, local governments, and the North American Development Bank
• Requires EPA to develop action plans with priority project lists, coordinate with Mexican agencies, and report to Congress every two years on implementation progress