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San Diego supervisors approve $2.5 million pipe extension to cut hydrogen sulfide at Tijuana River Valley hotspot
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved using $2.5 million in reserve funds to build a pipe extension intended to reduce hydrogen sulfide and other aerosolized pollution at a Saturn Boulevard hotspot in the Tijuana River Valley; the board and staff said a key Coastal Commission permit was recently secured and the fix is expected to be installed within roughly a year.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on June 24 unanimously approved using $2.5 million from county reserves to construct a pipe extension intended to reduce the aerosolization of pollutants — including hydrogen sulfide — at a known hotspot on Saturn Boulevard in the Tijuana River Valley.
Board members and staff told the meeting that a key Coastal Commission permit was approved earlier this month after joint work with county staff and the U.S. Navy, shortening the expected permitting timeline by several months. County officials said the pipe extension is expected to be installed by about this time next year and predicted it will lower severe hydrogen sulfide emissions at the site.
The action follows months of public comment from residents, community groups, and local stakeholders who described health and nuisance impacts from odors and airborne contaminants in the Tijuana River Valley. Callers urged more immediate local action rather than waiting for state or federal funding and noted continuing needs for long‑term solutions such as a box culvert or diversion on the U.S. side of the river.
During deliberations, board members framed the pipe extension as a targeted, near‑term mitigation step while acknowledging that larger infrastructure projects will be necessary for a permanent fix. County staff told the board the project was moved forward in part because recent interagency coordination reduced regulatory delay.
The board pronounced a plan to declare a 24th state of emergency for the valley and said gubernatorial candidates had pledged to prioritize the crisis; the board voted 5–0 in favor of the staff recommendation and the funding allocation.
What happens next: staff will proceed with procurement and construction planning for the pipe extension and return to the board with progress reports and permitting updates. The board and staff also highlighted ongoing efforts to develop longer‑term infrastructure options and to coordinate with state and federal partners.
Quoted and attributable statements in this article are drawn from public proceedings and the board's recorded roll call and motion at the June 24 meeting.
