DAILY DIGEST: Mathis announces bipartisan bill to solve state’s water crisis without raising taxes; Water utilities call on big data to guide pipe replacements; Farmers, enviros alarmed by USDA’s new wetland rules; and more …

In California water news today, Mathis announces bipartisan bill to solve state’s water crisis without raising taxes; 580 billion gallons. That’s How Much Water Recent Storms Added to California Reservoirs; Water utilities call on big data to guide pipe replacements; Farmers, enviros alarmed by USDA’s new wetland rules; and more …

On the calendar today …

• The Central Valley Flood Protection Board meets at 9:00 am. Agenda items include: DWR 2018 levee inspection report; Folsom Dam water control manual update; Delta levees subventions program; West Sacramento/Army Corps project design agreement; American River Common Features partnership agreement.  Click here for the full agenda and webcast link.

In the news today …

Mathis announces bipartisan bill to solve state’s water crisis without raising taxes: “Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) Thursday announced the introduction of a bipartisan amendment to the California Constitution to dedicate two percent of the state’s general fund budget to rebuilding and enhancing the state’s water infrastructure. Mathis’ proposal, which he coauthored with Asm. Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) will provide a stable, ongoing source of funding for projects to improve California’s water quality, supply and delivery systems.  “I’m absolutely floored that California has billions to throw away on wasteful projects like High-Speed Rail, but people are still talking about a water tax,” said Mathis. “We don’t need new taxes. We need a commitment to invest in our infrastructure, and that’s exactly what this plan will do.” … ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here:  Mathis announces bipartisan bill to solve state’s water crisis without raising taxes

580 billion gallons. That’s How Much Water Recent Storms Added to California Reservoirs: “The round of storms that soaked California in recent weeks has brought a huge influx of water to the state.  According to a new analysis by The Mercury News, California reservoirs are now holding an additional 580 billion gallons compared to the start of the year. And the snowpack also got a big boost.  The report utilized data from 47 key reservoirs monitored by the state.  Mercury News reporter and KQED Science Managing Editor Paul Rogers reported the story, which was published Wednesday. … ”  Read more from KQED here:  580 billion gallons. That’s How Much Water Recent Storms Added to California Reservoirs

Water utilities call on big data to guide pipe replacements:  “Doing surgery on San Francisco’s water system is no simple task. Replacing one mile of distribution main costs about $3.8 million dollars. That’s just the direct cost of installing a section of drinking water pipe. There are also side effects: disruptions to traffic, sidewalks, and businesses when streets are pried open.  In one of the nation’s densest and highest-cost cities the expense amounts to an incentive for well-informed decisions about what to dig up and when.  “To leave good pipe in the ground as long as possible is economically important,” said Katie Miller, manager of the water distribution division at San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. ... ”  Read more from Circle of Blue here:  Water utilities call on big data to guide pipe replacements

Farmers, enviros alarmed by USDA’s new wetland rules:  “The Natural Resources Conservation Service is likely to receive a decidedly mixed bag of comments on a rule it issued last month that seeks to clarify when producers have wetlands on their farms.  Wetland advocates are concerned that NRCS is trying to weaken its highly erodible land protections by allowing faulty maps to be used to determine whether wetlands exist on the landscape. Enacted in the 1985 farm bill, the so-called “Swampbuster” language prohibits farmers who have converted wetlands to cropland from receiving USDA program benefits.  The American Farm Bureau Federation, on the other hand, is worried NRCS may be giving itself too much leeway to determine when wetlands exist on the landscape. … ”  Read more from AgriPulse here:  Farmers, enviros alarmed by USDA’s new wetland rules

In regional news and commentary today …

New research is rewriting the history of Klamath-Trinity Chinook Salmon:  “Recent research has identified a genetic variation in Klamath-Trinity spring-run Chinook salmon which is upending prevailing scientific narratives about the fish.  Scientists are calling it the “run time gene,” as it appears to be the factor which controls whether the salmon will migrate in the spring, or fall. The research, spearheaded by Daniel Prince and Michael Miller of UC Davis, is being utilized by the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council in a renewed effort to list the Spring Chinook Salmon under the state’s Endangered Species Act. Craig Tucker, a natural resources consultant for the Karuk Tribe, said the finding may positively impact the chances for success. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here:  New research is rewriting the history of Klamath-Trinity Chinook Salmon

Surface water samples test positive for E. coli in Camp Fire area:  “Surface water samples throughout the Camp Fire burn area have tested positive for E. coli and other contaminants, according to the State Water Resources Control Board.  State water quality officials caution the public not to drink or cook with untreated surface water from streams throughout the burn area.  Diana Langley, Public Works director for Yuba City, said Wednesday she consulted with an engineer at the local water board who said there’s no concerns that the contaminants will make their way into the Feather River, and that it’s isolated to the Camp Fire area. ... ”  Read more from the Appeal Democrat here:  Surface water samples test positive for E. coli in Camp Fire area

Santa Clara Valley Water District weighs raising taxes or raising water bills:  “A long-standing feud over who should pay a $650 million bill for state water infrastructure reared its head Tuesday, as board members of Santa Clara County’s regional water district weighed whether to raise water bills or ramp up reliance on property taxes.  At the center of the Jan. 22 discussion was the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s so-called State Water Project (SWP) tax, which is evenly levied on all property owners within the district’s boundaries and goes to help pay for a massive system of reservoirs, aqueducts and pumping plants that circulate water throughout the state. … ”  Read more from the Mountain View Voice here:  Santa Clara Valley Water District weighs raising taxes or raising water bills

Salinas Valley:  A little fee to manage a lot of water:  “Residents of the Salinas Valley will soon see their utility or water bills go up – but only a little. The new fee, which is likely to be passed by July 1, will add about $2.27 for non-agricultural residents, and $4.81 per irrigated acre for agricultural users. The fee is needed to fund the valley’s newest water agency — the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.  If the new fee schedule passes, residents in areas managed by the new GSA can expect to likely see the fee included in their property tax bill or their water utility bill by the end of the year. … ”  Read more from Voices of Monterey Bay here:  Salinas Valley:  A little fee to manage a lot of water

Lake Nacimiento group sues county, water agency for $120 million over water levels: “A Lake Nacimiento property and business owners group has sued Monterey County and the county Water Resources Agency for at least $120 million alleging mismanagement of the lake’s water levels has harmed recreation and property values.  In a lawsuit filed in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Jan. 15, the Atascadero-based non-profit Nacimiento Regional Water Management Advisory Committee alleges the county water agency has “operated the Lake in a manner that renders it almost unusable to property owners and visitors for recreation,” in violation of what the suit alleges the water agency promised six decades ago as part of agreements to establish the reservoir. … ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here:  Lake Nacimiento group sues county, water agency for $120 million over water levels

Canyon Lake dam spill helps Lake Elsinore regain lost ground, improves quality of lake water: “Water is flowing over the Canyon Lake Dam for the first time in two years, something could potentially be good news for Lake Elsinore, the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California.  According to Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District’s Community Affairs Supervisor Bonnie Woodrome, the spill from the dam began Tuesday thanks to an abundance of rainfall that dumped nearly 4 inches of rain in Lake Elsinore and the surrounding communities. … ”  Read more from Valley News here:  Canyon Lake dam spill helps Lake Elsinore regain lost ground, improves quality of lake water

Along the Colorado River …

Radio show: Wading into Colorado River negotiations:  “The Arizona Legislature has until Jan. 31 to approve a drought contingency plan for the Colorado River.  A working group has spent months trying to come up with a plan that satisfies cities, farmers and Native Americans with a stake in the future of the Colorado River.  The Colorado River is at record lows, and a shortage is expected to be declared in the coming year. … ”  Read more from Arizona Public Media here:  Radio show: Wading into Colorado River negotiations

What is the drought contingency plan and will it affect me?  “Arizona’s water leaders and lawmakers are running out of time to complete the state’s Drought Contingency Plan, a blueprint for how Arizona water users would share a likely shortage on the Colorado River.  The water managers and elected officials working on the plan have tried to convey a sense of urgency to get the work done on what could soon be the most important water-related legislation in recent times.  But there are a lot of moving parts to understand and a lot of concepts that may seem overwhelming. Here are the things you need to know in advance of the Jan. 31 deadline to finish the plan: … ”  Read more from Arizona Central here:  What is the drought contingency plan and will it affect me?

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Bureau of Reclamation launches funding opportunity for WaterSMART small-scale water efficiency projects
• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Bureau of Reclamation makes funding available for projects that build long-term resilience to drought
• DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Delta NHA~ DSC Forum~ DSC Survey~ DWR Finding~ DCF Released~ Multi Benefit ~~

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.