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.

A 26-ton trencher this week ripped up a stretch of land on Jim Nickel's tomato fields as part of a $250,000 fix for a seepage problem he blames on the federal restoration of the San Joaquin River. And he may be stuck with the bill.

Biology students are simulating a river at Fresno State to conduct key fish studies for the San Joaquin River restoration.

Federal officials have delayed a big boost in water releases this month for the San Joaquin River restoration. Farmers say it's because similar high flows in spring caused seepage damage to crops.

Swept along by a drought-busting winter, the San Joaquin River restoration is getting good reviews at the end of its first year -- even from one vocal farm critic.