Northern California lawmakers have asked Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to be more open in her negotiations with House Republicans for a drought bill conference report, Carolyn Lochhead writes in her column in the San Francisco Chronicle.

The northern California House members are worried that the bill might alter the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.

Feinstein has replied that she will protect those but that the conference report cannot contain emergency spending to help those affected by the drought if it is to have Republican support.

▪ San Francisco Chronicle — Dems ask Feinstein, Boxer to open up secret drought-bill talks