The $2 billion price of creating a living San Joaquin River will buy more than a beautiful view -- it will boost the economy of places like Fresno, the second-poorest metropolitan area in the country.

A new federal analysis reveals $70 million has been invested in the San Joaquin River restoration since 2007, but no major projects have been completed. And as a Dec. 31 deadline nears to restart salmon runs, riverside farmers say it's time to talk about a delay.

Private property owners might deserve payment when public agencies temporarily flood their land, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a case closely watched by farmers around the country, and in the San Joaquin Valley in particular.

A big California water bill passed by the House this week might be brilliant political hardball that puts Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the spot.

The San Joaquin River's meandering course through central California would get steered in yet another direction under a bill set for House approval this week. Biologically, scientists say, the proposal has promise. Politically, it faces strong opposition. Legally, it appears vulnerable to challenge.

This is the year east Valley farmers have dreaded. It's one of the driest seasons in the past 100 years, and they must share precious water with the federal government to restore the San Joaquin River.

The San Joaquin River is one of two California streams designated by the federal government to become a blueway – a boating trail to camping, fishing, bird-watching and other kinds of recreation.

Chinook salmon are scheduled to be reintroduced to the San Joaquin River as soon as this year. But what seems to have been overlooked is that the presence of salmon also will mean the end of all trout fishing and, potentially, bass fishing on the river.

East Valley farmers this year probably will lose very little if any water for the San Joaquin River restoration because of the wet winter, federal officials estimate. There has been no need to use water reserved for irrigation.

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is quietly negotiating with a handful of California farmers who say San Joaquin River restoration efforts damage their land east of Los Banos.

WASHINGTON – California officials and the Obama administration on Thursday strongly objected to a politically divisive bill that blocks San Joaquin River restoration efforts, casting the bill's long-term prospects into doubt.

Negotiations have begun to possibly push back the December 2012 deadline for re-establishing salmon in the San Joaquin River, federal officials said Tuesday in Fresno.

Reviving chinook salmon on the San Joaquin River will cost more than $20 million – which may sound like a lot of money for 40,000 fish. But this rare project will take years of work, scientists say.

Ambitious San Joaquin River restoration plans are facing delays on the ground and renewed resistance on Capitol Hill. Already lagging, the river restoration efforts would stop altogether under legislation set for House approval.