State Sen. Steve Padilla announced Wednesday new legislation that would allow the San Diego Association of Governments to earmark a portion of anticipated toll revenue from the forthcoming Otay Mesa East border crossing to help fix the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Existing law authorizes the regional planning agency to use the toll revenues for construction, maintenance and operation costs of the port of entry project. Senate Bill 10 would add to the list “costs associated with environmental mitigation and restoration of the Tijuana River Valley and adjoining lands by way of wastewater infrastructure and related projects,” according to the draft language. 

Related articles:

• NBC 7 San Diego: Senator introduces bill to collect tolls to care for Tijuana River Valley
• Steve Padilla California State Senator news release: Senator Padilla, local & environmental leaders, announce legislation to allocate toll funds towards clean up of Tijuana River