Waste flows are not contained by international boundaries; therefore, the subject of solid waste disposal is of interest to the entire San... » More

Waste flows are not contained by international boundaries; therefore, the subject of solid waste disposal is of interest to the entire San Diego/Tijuana border region. Uncontrolled informal dump sites that litter the Tijuana River Valley are a product of the disconnect between federal environmental regulations and local policy enforcement. The purpose of this study is to produce a scientific record of dump sites and solid waste flows that can be used as a tool to affect policy change toward the eradication of illegal dumping practices. Although open dump sites exist throughout the river valley, the geographic unit of analysis covered by this study is confined to the Los Laureles Canyon in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The research strategy for this study includes direct observation in the field and GIS spatial analysis of site locations and canyon topography and hydrology. Our findings constitute first-time scientific evidence of informal dump sites in the Tijuana River Watershed and point to economic practices that discriminate against canyon residents and threaten ecosystem viability in sub-basins such as Los Laureles Canyon.

« Hide