With the budget ostensibly out of the way, State lawmakers returned from their summer recess this week to focus their attention on the state's ongoing water crisis. As they begin hammering out a plan to fix the state's water delivery infrustructure, they are finding the political battles tough. This issue is of particular concern to Audubon California and other conservation organization. Water is truly the stuff of life, and the state's poor water management has resulted in a great deal of environmental damage. Likewise, fixing the state's problem holds a great deal of opportunity for birds and other wildlife -- if done right. Poor policy could hurt birds more than it helps.