The battle over whether California should build a $20-billion water tunnel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is escalating, with Gov. Gavin Newsom pushing to lay the groundwork for the project before his term expires and state water regulators considering whether to grant a key authorization. The State Water Resources Control Board has begun holding a series of hearings on a petition by the Newsom administration to amend water rights permits so that flows could be diverted from new points on the Sacramento River where the intakes of the 45-mile tunnel would be built. The process has grown tense in recent weeks, as the Newsom administration and water agencies have pushed back against how the board’s officials are handling parts of the process, and as opponents have urged the board not to bend to political pressure.

Other Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta news:

• Turlock Journal (Calif.): Opinion: Eat nutria & place bounty on bass to save the Delta, protect levees, & free up water
• Daily Kos: Blog: New poll reveals CA voters prefer local, sustainable water solutions over Delta tunnel
• Daily Kos: Blog: The Delta Tunnel will increase water deliveries by 22 percent, testimony by DWR engineer reveals