Salazar offers relief, but it is really up to the Legislature to fix state's problems.</p><p>Interior Secretary Ken Salazar offered some federal assistance to ease the California water crisis, and that at least shows the Obama administration finally has put this emergency on its radar screen.</p><p>But this problem is too complex for quick fixes, and it will take state and federal action to resolve it.</p><p>So far, lawmakers in California have not offered a comprehensive water solution and that's another failing of the state Legislature.</p><p>But Salazar responded to the pressure of agriculture and farmworker groups with several key announcements Sunday.</p><p>This action would not have come without the intense pressure they put on the Obama administration the past few months.</p><p>At a town hall in Fresno, Salazar said $160 million in Recovery Act funds will go to the Central Valley Project, which manages the dams and canals that move our water around.</p><p>Salazar also named Deputy Interior Secretary David J. Hayes as the "water czar" who will coordinate solutions between federal agencies and state officials.</p><p>The interior secretary also reminded farmers that today, pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will be turned on and will operate for the rest of this year. That will help some, although the action should have come sooner.</p><p>Farmers have targeted environmentalists and the Endangered Species Act as the villains.</p><p>But it's the Legislature and governor--both past and present--who have failed to meet the growing water needs of the state.</p><p>California's population has doubled since the last major water project was built in the state.</p><p>But state lawmakers continue to dodge this issue, fearing that they'll anger one of the many interest groups involved in the issue.</p><p>We believe that agricultural, urban and environmental water needs can be accommodated with a comprehensive water plan. There would have to be compromises by all parties to the water debate.</p><p>The solution must include building dams, expanding underground storage through water banking and dramatically increasing water availability through conservation efforts.</p><p>The local congressional delegation, especially Reps. Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa, played a big role in getting Salazar to Fresno. But much more must be done.