Members of the California Latino Water Coalition were meeting with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday, as California officials prepared to swing the national spotlight on the state's water problems.

The late afternoon meeting with Feinstein was part of a lobbying swing that also included an appearance at an Interior Department public session Wednesday morning and get-togethers with Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and others. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and his deputy David Hayes convened the Wednesday morning hearing as part of their effort to feel the state's pain.

Actor and comedian Paul Rodriguez, Friant Water Authority Assistant General Manager Mario Santoyo and other members of the California Latino Water Coalition are pushing the argument that environmental protections have excessively curtailed precious irrigation deliveries.