PUBLIC NOTICE: FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Main Lines Phase II Poniente Collector in Tijuana, Mexico

The Poniente Collector has a history of collapses which has resulted in raw sewage leaks to ground and surface water. Rehabilitating the Poniente Collector will improve public health and water quality concerns by eliminating the discharge of raw sewage to Tijuana streets. In addition, the lack of reliable wastewater collection lines in Tijuana can have a detrimental impact on the water quality within the U.S. The Tijuana River crosses from Mexico in to the U.S. in southern San Diego County. If the volume of untreated sewage in Tijuana River exceeds the capacity to divert it for treatment, it can flow into the U.S. The Tijuana River ultimately discharges to the Pacific Ocean thus untreated wastewater can contaminate U.S.–side beaches.

EPA Region 9’s award of a grant for the proposed project is a federal action requiring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). EPA Region 9 has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) describing the potential environmental impacts associated with, and the alternatives to, the proposed project. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) documents EPA Region 9’s decision that the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment.

Copies of the EA and FONSI are available for review at the EPA San Francisco Office, which is listed below. These documents can also be downloaded at: becc.org.

Written comments on the EA and FONSI may be submitted by January 3, 2017 via letter or email to the following EPA contact:
Elizabeth Borowiec
U.S. EPA – Water Division (WTR-3-3)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-972-3419 (phone)
Borowiec.elizabeth@epa.gov

No administrative action will be taken on this proposed project prior to the expiration date of this comment period. 

To view and download: 
Rehabilitation of the Wastewater Collection Main Lines Phase II Poniente Collector in Tijuana, Mexico Environmental Assessment

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Main Lines Phase II Poniente Collector in Tijuana, Mexico