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The USDA has  announced that 88 high-impact projects across the U.S. will receive nearly a quarter billion dollars in federal funding as part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, partners have proposed to contribute up to an additional $500 million to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Four projects in California have been named as recipients. The USDA investment here will reach nearly $22 million, with matching funds exceeding $50 million.

Your water rates are going up after January 1. Here’s why. Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) customers in 2017 will be hit by a series of water rate and fixed charge increases after the first of the New Year that are all higher than the annual rate of inflation, but which reflect real price increases that the district must make up since deficit spending is not a viable option.

More rain during the middle of the week and at the end was joined by the largest snowfall since the first week of the year. Pine Cove received another 3 inches of rain. The 3.3 inches last week brought the total rain since July 1, to 13.5 inches. This is nearly 50 percent greater than the long-term average rainfall of 9.2 inches through the end of December.

On New Year’s Eve, local groundfish might have a reason to celebrate. In the angling community over the past couple winters, our lucky New Year’s baby has been the El Niño conditions that kept yellowtail and tuna close to home in the winter. This winter, as the pelagic species have moved south and water temps are around 60 degrees, boats have returned to target rockcod, sheephead, and whitefish.

In San Diego County, there’s still time to buy water-conserving rain barrels without getting soaked. A $75 rebate on rain barrels, offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, drops to $35 on Jan.1. The barrels are made of heavy duty recycled plastic, hold 50 gallons, have a lid with a screen at the top, and a spigot at the bottom. They sell for $90 each before the rebate, discounted from $149.