Raul Ruiz

CALEXICO, Calif. — Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) today toured the New River alongside U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Regional Administrator Mike Martucci and U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) Commissioner Chad McIntosh, before joining federal, state, and local partners for a public roundtable on the river's ongoing environmental and public health crisis. During the tour, officials observed firsthand the conditions driving the New River's public health and environmental crisis: a strong odor, water discolored a visible green and stretches of accumulated trash creating an environmental hazard along the riverbanks. The observations align with preliminary results from USIBWC's binational water quality study, which show elevated bacteria, nutrients, trace elements, and organic chemicals in the river. Following the tour, Congressman Ruiz continued the conversation with USIBWC, EPA, and local, state, and federal partners on binational funding responsibility for New River infrastructure, stronger oversight of ongoing projects, and the river's role in restoring the Salton Sea. Participants pointed to binational cooperation on the Tijuana River as a model for the kind of high-level engagement needed on the New River. These discussions carried into the public roundtable at the City of Calexico's Fernando "Nene" Torres Council Chambers, where USIBWC, EPA, and local officials provided updates on the status of New River improvements on both sides of the border, agency collaboration, and the binational water sampling study. "Today's tour and roundtable presentation with public comment about the New River is a demonstrable action and necessary part of the process to clean the New River. I am very thankful to USIBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh and EPA Regional Administrator Mike Martucci for hosting this gathering. It is vital that local participation and input be considered. I'm going to keep pushing for federal action and investments to protect the health of people in the Imperial Valley, and I want my constituents to know I'm not letting this go until an immediate and long-term solution is implemented," said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) . "We appreciate the involvement and support of U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., and other stakeholders as we continue to work together to address the New River's binational challenges," USIBWC and EPA said in a joint statement released today. During the meeting, stakeholders identified three priority action items to guide the New River effort going forward. First, developing a clear EPA-USIBWC action plan and timeline, including progress on a modernized U.S.-Mexico Minute and Memorandum of Understanding, firm deadlines for Mexicali infrastructure projects, and public release of the binational water quality study. Second, identifying recurring federal and state funding for operations, maintenance, and monitoring, including Proposition 4 opportunities, and evaluating whether the federal Border Water Infrastructure Program should be expanded to address stormwater, trash, and other currently restricted needs. Third, establishing a formal role for Imperial County, the City of Calexico, public health officials, environmental organizations, and residents in the binational process, with regular public reporting on water quality results, infrastructure milestones, spill notifications, and public health outcomes. Participants also secured a commitment for EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to visit the New River and agreed to reconvene in Washington, D.C. to formalize next steps. Background: The New River Crisis The New River originates roughly 20 miles south of Mexicali, Mexico and flows 65 miles through Imperial County into the Salton Sea, carrying raw sewage, industrial waste, pesticides, and agricultural runoff across the border. It is widely regarded as one of the most polluted rivers in North America, and residents near the river have long report