Category: Environment

The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) has announced the opening of its California Underserved Small Producer (CUSP) Program, supported by funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This initiative aims to support small and underserved farmers and ranchers who have experienced economic hardship due to extreme weather. The program offers reimbursement grants ranging from $2,500-$20,000 for lost revenue and increased costs due to drought, flooding, wildfire, pest quarantine, severe windstorms, and extreme cold. Eligible farmers can seek reimbursement for allowable expenses such as crop and livestock loss, debris removal, pest quarantines, infrastructure and equipment damage, and increased utility costs. IERCD will review applications and award grants every two months until all funding has been expended. The first application cycle is February 15th – March 31st 2025.  IERCD was a previous recipient of the CUSP Drought Relief Grant in 2023 and successfully administered $1 million in funding over 8 months to farmers who had experienced severe drought impacts. Through this new program, IERCD will have the opportunity to distribute $3.1 million to support a larger population of farmers and ranchers impacted by

Rialto City Council voted to extend a moratorium on new warehouse developments for an additional six months on Feb. 25th, shortening the original proposed extension of 10 months and 15 days. The decision, which followed a discussion about zoning regulations and the city’s long-term development plans, pushes the moratorium’s expiration to Aug. 26, 2025. The moratorium, initially adopted on Jan. 28 under emergency ordinance 1697, temporarily halts the “establishment, expansion, or intensification” of warehouses and fulfillment centers. The extension aims to give city officials time to review zoning regulations, consider potential rezoning in specific areas and establish appropriate guidelines for “indoor storage facilities” according to AB 98 regulations. Daniel Casey, the city’s principal planner, presented the ordinance. However, concerns about the timeframe arose among council members. “I have a little bit of an issue with your time frame on this,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott. “Because we had asked that [the] staff move in a much faster manner to address the zoning issues, and I think 10 months is a long time.” City Attorney Eric Vail noted that the council had the option to