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t Public and legislative "backlash" concerning the 1989 methodology led to a new effort to refine the delineation approach. As a result,on August 13, 1991 a proposed new wetland delineation manual was published in the Federal Register for public review. The proposed manual, sponsored by the same four agencies,is intended to replace the 1989 manual. The proposed manual would substantially increase the standards necessary to meet the wetland hydrology test by requiring that an area be inundated or saturated to the surface for at least 15 and 21 consecutive days,respectively. Most recently,the Corps has provided guidance through its Districts that,effective August 17, 1991,the 1987 manual is to be used to identify and delineate wetlands potentially subject to Section 404 regulation. If a project applicant believes that its project may be subject to Corps jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act,the applicant may request that the Corps do a jurisdictional , determination. It is customary for the applicant to submit a description of the property and a map documenting the findings of a preliminary wetland delineation conducted by consultants experienced in this field. The Corps will analyze this information and will conduct their own field visit to confirm the delineation and to identify areas under Corps Section 404 jurisdiction. Once the extent of any Corps jurisdiction is known,the project applicant will determine whether any activities in connection with the proposed project would require a permit from the Corps. Generally, Section 404 prohibits the fall of wetlands without a Corps permit. If the applicant proposes to fill jurisdictional wetlands,it is possible that the fill activity will be authorized pursuant to certain Nationwide permits which have been issued. The Nationwide permits apply in limited circumstances where the Corps has determined that the fill will not constitute a significant impact on the environment if carried out according to the limitations and conditions of those permits. If the proposed fill is not authorized by a Nationwide permit,the applicant would be required to obtain an approval under the individual permit program administered by the Corps under Section 404. If an individual permit is required,the analysis conducted by the Corps would include a determination of whether the project is "water dependent" and if not,whether there are any practicable alternatives to the fill of wetlands contemplated by the project. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME In addition to Corps regulatory authority over"Waters of the United States,"the California Department of Fish and Game has authority to oversee work in streams pursuant to Fish and - Game Code 1601-1603. A landowner or agency proposing to substantially divert the natural