On the news blog, read reporter E.J. Schultz's diagnosis of the problems with getting votes for legislation to fix California's water problems. As he says, it's a little like herding cats.

Another development that he has mentioned is the split between environmentalists and Northern California water interests.

The Environmental Defense Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council are onboard with a compromise that also has the support of San Joaquin Valley farmers and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

But fishing groups, delta farmers and other northern water interests aren't buying it.

A similar split in opinion happened in 1994, as I recall, when the stars seemed to align and the historic Bay-Delta Accord was signed. A lot of environmental groups signed on. But a lot of Northern California groups had big doubts.

The Bay-Delta Accord, like many noble efforts to settle California's water wars, has not fixed the problems. Will the latest effort succeed where others have failed? Stay tuned.