American Rivers Statement on Trump Administration Expediting River Recovery Steps for the Tijuana
Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
7/24/2025 WASHINGTON D.C — The Trump administration announced today, it has reached an agreement with Mexico that would expedite the restoration process for the Tijuana River and increase investments into the critical infrastructure needed to reduce raw sewage and pollution issues — including aerosolized chemicals in sea spray — that have plagued the river and the communities that depend on it for decades.
“Investing in our rivers and shared water resources will always pay dividends in the end. They are the foundations of communities, economies and vital to our nation’s prosperity. This is a massive step forward for the Tijuana River and we appreciate the Trump administration’s dedicated effort to restore this river back to the vibrant resource it once was,” said Tom Kiernan, president and CEO of American Rivers.
The Tijuana River travels 120 miles through Northwest Baja California and the Tijuana River Valley in southern California before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Its 1,750-square-mile watershed is home to over 2.8 million residents on both sides of the border and the Kumeyaay Nation. The river flows through the Tijuana River estuary, southern California’s largest coastal wetland, and into the Pacific Ocean.
“The communities along the Tijuana River have suffered this public health crisis for far too long,” said Kristan Culbert, Associate Director of California River Conservation at American Rivers. “We are hopeful and optimistic that the Trump administration will be the catalyst for a major turnaround for this river. The people and wildlife that depend on it deserve clean water and healthy ecosystems.”
The Tijuana River was placed on American Rivers’ annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® list in both 2024 and 2025 due to the severity of the health and environmental crisis it is experiencing. More information can be found here.
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American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org