Defining our priorities
The New River is perhaps, along with the Salton Sea, one of those environmental issues California, Mexico and the United States have not addressed appropriately.
Our Golden State, the world champion against greenhouse gas emissions and the best promoter of renewable energy has long forgotten its own domestic problems that, in fact, are embarrassing, especially considering it deals with one of the poorest and more disadvantaged communities nationwide. Many efforts have been launched from non-profit organizations to lawmakers and public officials to solve the matter. However, the river is still dangerous and a hazard for our communities.
Just this year, Mexicali’s sewage system — controlled by the state of Baja California — has reported four discharges of an undisclosed amount of untreated water. The only response from California has been as a mere witness of this disgrace. According to those involved in the topic the solution will cost dozens of millions of dollars. And who will end up paying for those expenses? As history tells us, it is very likely those funds will be taken from US taxpayers.
Fortunately the neighboring state has enough funds to pay for the solution. Year after year, Baja California has received an increased amount of funds from its federal government. Just this week, Congresswoman Nancy Sánchez said in February the state’s Mexican appropriation funds increased 60.2 percent compared to the same month of 2016, the largest climb nationwide. During the first two months of this year the state got 4.1 billion pesos or $241.1 million, the second largest amount among the northern border states. At the same time, the state approved a $26 million contract with a private company to build an aqueduct from a rural area to provide water to the Constellation Brands. Does this make sense? You tell me.
About two decades ago, then Baja California Governor Hector Terán began the planning and construction of the New River Boulevard that included the encasing of what is considered the most polluted river in North America. In that area, the state has built several top notch facilities like the Attorney General’s office headquarters, the State Cultural Arts Center and law enforcement evaluation premises, while the Autonomous University of Baja California constructed the School of Business Management. All of them are impressive facilities. And in recent years the state has also had plans to create a bicycle way and an environmental corridor. However, all these aesthetics projects are still pending.
Some projects, like Las Arenitas — paid for with U.S. dollars and non-profit organization efforts — have brought some alleviation to the water quality side of the deal. But as we see, a lot more needs to be done.
In the meantime, investors plan to give Mexicali’s entrance through what will become the West Port of Entry a brand new face. Days ago, renderings of the new Chinatown that will be constructed by the former Montealbán building complex in downtown were posted on social media. This project has been on the plans for about a decade. During his administration Mayor Samuel Ramos Flores unveiled an ambitious project to divide the area in three parts, one of them Chinatown. Eventually Mayor Jaime Diaz managed to demolish the depressed complex and launch the works for the project. In Imperial Valley some public officials have rumored about this Chinatown project for quite some time. If the renderings are real, this amazing project will become just a cover up for the real problem, with the water issue yet to be addressed.
So the next time that Baja California Gov. Francisco Vega and California Gov. Jerry Brown meet for their photo-op to talk about trade, immigration and environment, I hope they don’t forget the New River issue, that might be a priority in their mutual agenda unless they prefer to leave the solution to their respective successors.