SAN DIEGO Border Report — Following heavy rains, Tijuana’s Matadero Canyon becomes a conduit for debris, sending tons of plastic bottles, tires, and trash into the U.S. This environmental issue arises from a long-standing agreement that allows stormwater to drain under the border barrier into the Tijuana River Valley, ultimately affecting the Pacific Ocean.
In response, Wildcoast, a San Diego-based environmental group, has been advocating for solutions to this pollution problem.
This week, the organization completed the installation of a second trash-collecting boom in the canyon. This boom, resembling a giant volleyball net, aims to intercept debris before it crosses the border.
Fay Crevoshay, a spokesperson for Wildcoast, emphasized the significance of these booms, stating, These trash booms are a very economical way to have a big impact because we stop plastics, tires, and we plan to do more because we see the impact.
The first boom installed previously has already proven successful, preventing approximately 110,000 pounds of plastic from entering the Tijuana River Valley.
In addition to the booms, Wildcoast is engaged in educational initiatives, teaching local residents about recycling and waste management. Crevoshay noted the challenges in trash collection in some neighborhoods, saying, We’re teaching people that plastics and tires are not trash.
To enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, Wildcoast is employing local residents to gather and sort plastic bottles ahead of the rainy season. “When the first rain comes, it’s going to be a tsunami of plastic,” she warned.
Wildcoast has plans to install two more booms along the lengthy Matadero Canyon, continuing its mission to protect the environment on both sides of the border.