The hometown of state Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, is voicing strong opposition to major water legislation he is negotiating, saying that "in its current form, this legislation would harm Northern California."

The city and county of Sacramento are among 17 Northern California agencies that signed onto a letter sent yesterday to lawmakers.

"We ask that the Legislature withhold and oppose any vote on a water package until, in addition to addressing the need for a reliable water supply for the entire state, it assures that there are no redirected impacts to the Delta and Northern California and sufficient protections are in place to protect Northern California's and the Delta's water supplies."

Among other concerns, the agencies fear a proposed canal that would move water around the Delta southward. The canal is not authorized in any of the legislative proposals, but planning is underway through another effort called the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

The water bills would create a new agency to oversee those efforts. Northern California water agencies want assurances that the canal would not take their water supplies. The canal is a top priority for Central Valley farms and Southern California cities, which now get Delta water that is delivered through the estuary. Courts have ruled that that process harms fish.

Groups such as the Westlands Water District near Fresno want guarantees that nothing in the legislation slows canal planning, and say they are only looking for increased water "reliability."

The North-South conflict -- one of many divides in the ongoing water talks -- highlights the (impossible?) puzzle lawmakers face as they try to piece together a water deal.

Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost said in a statement that "negotiations on the proposed language is still taking place. We are working through specific concerns from all stakeholders. We also plan to hold open hearings at some point next week to allow for an open discussion on these concerns and others."