San Diego County introduced former U.S. diplomat Bridget Premont as its first Pollution Crisis Chief at a news conference Monday, tapping her to lead its response to the Tijuana River sewage crisis as preliminary findings estimate the pollution costs the regional economy up to $503.5 million a year. According to the county, Premont will coordinate infrastructure planning across agencies and pursue state and federal funding. She will also coordinate emergency responses during sewage spikes, chair a Sewage Crisis Interdepartmental Task Force and maintain a public funding dashboard. In an interview after the news conference, Premont said her immediate focus will be on existing infrastructure, the county’s Capture and Cleanup Initiative — constructing a wastewater treatment plant of its own on the river — and data showing what the region is risking.

Other Tijuana River news:

• Times of San Diego: Local leaders have long argued that one person should direct efforts to solve the Tijuana River pollution crisis. Now they’ve got her
• CBS8 (San Diego): San Diego County names first Pollution Crisis Chief to tackle Tijuana River sewage crisis
• NBC7 (San Diego): San Diego County’s new ‘Pollution Crisis Chief’ to tackle Tijuana River sewage problem
• inewsource (San Diego): IB loosens biz regulations during sewage crisis
• San Diego County: News release: County welcomes pollution crisis chief to coordinate Tijuana River Valley pollution response