The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) has
scheduled a public meeting of the USIBWC Citizens Forum on Thursday, January 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tijuana Estuary Meeting Room, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. The meeting will
focus on USIBWC projects and the activities of the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association
(SWIA). The purpose of the Citizens Forum is to promote the exchange of information between the
USIBWC and the community about Commission projects and related issues in San Diego County.

USIBWC Public Affairs Officer Sally Spener will discuss the Commission process for project
development and funding. Before an international project is undertaken, Commission engineers develop
technical documents and make recommendations to the Commissioners, who may approve the
recommendations or adopt them as a Minute, an agreement binding on both countries. Subsequent
implementation is generally subject to the availability of appropriations in both countries. The USIBWC
would then prepare and submit a budget request. In some cases, federal legislation authorizing the project
may also be required. Development of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant
(SBIWTP) in San Diego was undertaken in accordance with this process.

USIBWC Area Operations Manager Steve Smullen will give an update on construction of the
upgrade to the SBIWTP. The plant, which is located at the international border in San Diego County,
treats wastewater from Tijuana. Construction is nearly 50% 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.

In other business, Mike McCoy of the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association (SWIA) will
discuss the organization’s mission and activities. SWIA is dedicated to education and acquisition,
preservation, and restoration of wetlands. Established in 1979, SWIA has worked on such projects as
Ecoparque, a low-tech demonstration sewage treatment plant in the U.S. and its second stage in Tijuana,
Mexico and Model Marsh, a 20-acre salt marsh restoration in the Tijuana Estuary. The presentation will
also include a discussion of current restoration initiatives and future plans.

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

Contact:
Sally Spener
915-832-4175
sallyspener@ibwc.gov