One big criticism of the new water reform law is the "back-room process" to arrive at a compromise proposal that could be passed. The criticism is not without merit.

"Too few powerful interests had too much power to determine the content," wrote Peter Gleick, co-founder of the Pacific Institute, an Oakland-based think tank. Gleick, a water policy expert, has an interesting analysis.

The law, passed Wednesday by state legislators, sets up a council to watch over the troubled Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It also starts the process to clean up the state's water quality and conserve water in cities, along with a mountain of other goals.

Voters will need to approve an $11 billion bond next year to make this happen.

So what happens when there are too few people in the negotiating room? Organizations not at the table tend to be pressured to fall in line with philosophies and past loyalties, instead of details.

Now there is a swarm of Northern California opponents, such as the Sierra Club and Friends of the River, who have to be brought along.