San Diego County Names First Tijuana River Pollution Chief Amid Border Traffic and Enforcement Changes

San Diego County has named its first Pollution Crisis Chief to tackle the Tijuana River sewage crisis, according to a report by CBS 8. Times of San Diego reported that local leaders have long argued that one person should direct efforts to solve the Tijuana River pollution crisis, noting that officials now have a woman in that role. The appointment comes as pressure mounts to clean the Tijuana River in order to prevent cross-border pollution ahead of El Niño, according to reporting from the Hanford Sentinel.

Several other developments are affecting commercial traffic, airspace rules, and military and customs operations along the border. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mexico is redirecting commercial truck border traffic to future facilities at Otay Mesa East. At the same time, the United States has restricted drone flights along the Mexican border, with authorities citing cartel threats as the basis for the flight restrictions, FOX 5 San Diego and KUSI News reported. Military personnel are also involved in regional security, as DVIDS reported that Marines are supporting border operations and held a transfer of authority ceremony. In cargo enforcement, Imperial Valley Press Online reported that CBP said a commercial shipment of tomatillos concealed $2.5 million in methamphetamine.

Federal immigration enforcement within the San Diego region has also been the focus of recent local reporting. Voice of San Diego reported that ICE appears to be ramping up its enforcement operations in San Diego. According to reporting by inewsource, a San Diego community that is celebrated for its cultural diversity is also serving as a target for ICE. In addition, KPBS reported that an immigration arrest near a nail salon in Lemon Grove has left some members of the Vietnamese community on edge.