EPA Proposes Drastic Budget Cuts That Could Stall Tijuana River Valley Cleanup

Environmentalists fear loss of funding will disrupt critical pollution mitigation projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:06am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a solitary drainage pipe or culvert along the Tijuana River, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the environmental challenges facing this border region.The Tijuana River Valley's natural beauty remains under threat from cross-border pollution, as proposed EPA budget cuts could stall critical cleanup efforts.San Diego Today

The White House is seeking to slash the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by over 50%, from $8.8 billion to $4.2 billion. This proposal would eliminate funding for climate programs, environmental justice initiatives, and state grants for enforcing federal environmental laws. Environmentalists worry these cuts will disrupt ongoing efforts to clean up the Tijuana River Valley, which has long been plagued by raw sewage, chemicals, and trash flowing in from Mexico.

Why it matters

The Tijuana River Valley, which straddles the U.S.-Mexico border, has suffered from severe pollution for decades. Efforts to mitigate this cross-border environmental crisis have relied heavily on EPA funding and oversight. If the proposed budget cuts go through, it could significantly delay or derail critical cleanup projects and research into the health impacts on local communities.

The details

The EPA's Superfund program, which is responsible for cleaning up contaminated sites, would also face funding reductions under the proposed budget. This is particularly concerning for the Tijuana River Valley, where over $300 million in USMCA funding, supplemented by an additional $103 million and potential $200 million in new authorizations, has been allocated to rehabilitate the International Wastewater Treatment Plant and other projects to address sewage pollution. If the EPA budget is slashed, this money could be at risk, and ongoing research to determine the health impacts on residents may have to be halted.

  • The White House is seeking to cut the EPA's budget from roughly $8.8 billion down to $4.2 billion, a 52% reduction from the current year.
  • The proposed EPA budget cuts would eliminate 'environmental justice' programs and the atmospheric-protection program also referred to as climate-protection.
  • More than $1 billion would be cut from categorical grant programs that assist states in enforcing federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

The players

Bethany Case

The Lead Program Volunteer for Clean Border Water Now with Surfrider San Diego.

Environmental Protection Agency

The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment, which is facing the proposed budget cuts.

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What they’re saying

“We know that cuts are coming across the board but that is significant.”

— Bethany Case, Lead Program Volunteer for Clean Border Water Now with Surfrider San Diego

“I'm very hopeful the money that's been promised to us will make its way here. I know our local elected officials will continue to advocate for it we need the state to step up and make sure the river diversion project goes through it's in process, but it hasn't been approved quite yet.”

— Bethany Case, Lead Program Volunteer for Clean Border Water Now with Surfrider San Diego

What’s next

Local and state officials will need to advocate strongly to ensure that the promised funding for Tijuana River Valley cleanup efforts is not disrupted by the proposed EPA budget cuts.

The takeaway

The proposed EPA budget cuts pose a serious threat to ongoing efforts to address the long-standing environmental crisis in the Tijuana River Valley, which has suffered from cross-border pollution for decades. If these cuts are implemented, it could significantly delay or derail critical cleanup projects and research into the health impacts on local communities.