The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has scheduled a public meeting of the USIBWC Citizens Forum on Thursday, October 22, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tijuana Estuary Meeting Room, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. The meeting will focus on sediment, trash, and sanitation issues affecting the Tijuana River Valley. The purpose of the Citizens Forum is to promote the exchange of information between the USIBWC and the community. 

 The meeting will include a presentation by Clayton Phillips, Reserve Manager, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, about a pilot study to use screened sediment deposits from the Goat Canyon sediment basins for beach replenishment just north of the U.S.-Mexico border.  Results of this pilot study will be evaluated by regulatory agencies and could potentially provide the basis for a change in regulation.

 Robert Scott of URS Corporation will discuss the status of a trash, sediment, and waste tire characterization study for the Tijuana River Valley.  URS will provide an update on their efforts to determine locations and volumes of historical solid waste in the Tijuana River Valley and will discuss a conceptual approach to trash and sediment capture facilities in Smugglers Gulch and Goat Canyon.  The work is funded by the City of San Diego under the auspices of the Tijuana River Valley Recovery Team.

 In other business, USIBWC Area Operations Manager Steve Smullen will give an update on construction of the upgrade to the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant, which is located at the international border in San Diego County, treats wastewater from Tijuana. Construction is now 35% complete. When done in early 2011, the upgrade will provide a higher level of treatment to the wastewater before it is discharged 3.5 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean.

 Members of the public who would like more information about the meeting may call 619-662-7600 or e-mail: sallyspener@ibwc.gov.