Coronado High School Students Advocate for Beach Protection

Coronado High School students actively engaging in environmental advocacy at the California State Capitol.

News Summary

Members of Coronado High School’s Stop The Sewage Club visited the California State Capitol to advocate for legislative measures to protect local beaches. Coinciding with World Oceans Day, the students engaged with state officials to address the pollution crisis stemming from Tijuana and requested funding for wastewater treatment facilities. Their efforts highlight the importance of youth involvement in environmental advocacy during a time when the Coronado City Council has declared a local emergency due to cross-border sewage issues.

Coronado, California – Members of Coronado High School’s Stop The Sewage Club visited the California State Capitol last week to advocate for legislative measures aimed at protecting local beaches. This event coincided with World Oceans Day and saw participation from several hundred professionals across various environmental organizations, including the YMCA of San Diego County and Surfrider. Notably, Coronado High was the only secondary school represented at the advocacy event.

Under the guidance of club leaders Sean Wilbur and Danny Vinegrad, along with seniors Maya Rodriguez-Troestch and Nick Hacker, and juniors Quinn Riebe, Roxy Langevin, Cole Bennett, and Mason Patterson, these high school students engaged directly with elected state officials. Their advocacy efforts centered around California State Bill 10, introduced by Senator Steve Padilla, which aims to establish a cross-border toll at the new Otay Mesa II crossing. The students expressed their concerns regarding the significant impact of Tijuana cross-border pollution on their community and requested continued funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission’s wastewater treatment plant.

Laura Wilkinson Sinton, the founder of StopTheSewage.org, coordinated this impactful trip with financial support from the Transboundary Pollution Coalition. In recognition of their commitment to environmental advocacy, two students were granted excused absences from their AP Government examination to participate in this initiative. During their trip, the students enjoyed lunch with Dr. Kate Huckelbridge, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, and Kristina Krunkel, Deputy State Controller for Environmental Policy, discussing the essential aspects of beach protection and the role of governmental agencies in influencing policy.

Throughout the day, the Coronado students met individually with Assemblymember Boerner and Senator Akilah Weber Pearson, allowing them more insight into legislative discussions. The group observed Senate sessions, which further enhanced their understanding of the democratic process and the importance of advocacy. Their experience at the Capitol has inspired the Stop The Sewage Club to expand their activities next year, planning to collaborate with Mar Vista High School to bolster efforts to protect local beaches.

The need for such advocacy comes amidst ongoing regional challenges related to untreated wastewater discharged into the Pacific Ocean. Recently, the Coronado City Council declared a local emergency regarding the Tijuana sewage crisis, which took effect on March 4, 2025, with reviews scheduled every 60 days. This declaration aims to direct greater attention to the pollution crisis that residents and local beaches face daily. However, it has faced criticism, with some fearing the emergency declaration may negatively affect local business operations.

Local activists, including those from the Coronado High School Stop the Sewage Club, have taken action to support the emergency declaration, gathering over 300 signatures in favor of the initiative. This declaration seeks to align Coronado with other municipalities grappling with similar cross-border pollution challenges. The Transboundary Pollution Coalition for Advocacy and Healing has supported the Coronado City Council’s declaration as a necessary step toward obtaining federal resources for cleanup and resolution efforts.

Specific attention has also focused on the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has been at the center of continuing litigation and community concerns linked to its poor management and the discharge of untreated wastewater. Additionally, the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tijuana is expected to help alleviate some pollution concerns upon its eventual completion, although construction delays have hindered progress.

The advocacy efforts of Coronado High School students serve as a reminder of the vital role youth can play in environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of continued legislative support to protect local beaches and the wider community from pollution challenges.