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<br />II(a) defines the "Colorado River system" as "that <br />portion of the Colorado River and its tributaries within <br />the United states." The record of the negotiations of <br />the 1922 Compact affirms this interpretation. The <br />definition of the Colorado River System was approved by <br />all the compact commissioners. Further, a review of the <br />record demonstrates that the commissioners understood <br />that the Lower Basin tributaries were subject to Article <br />III and to the Mexican Treaty obligation. <br />b. Boulder Canyon Act <br />Congress I intent in approving the 1922 <br />Compact through the Boulder canyon Act was clearly to <br />subject the Lower Basin tributaries to the demands of <br />Article III. During floor debate various senators <br />expressed the understanding that in the 1922 Compact the <br />Colorado River Basin embraces the tributaries as well as <br />the mainstream of the Colorado River. Senator Hayden <br />twice offered amendments to the pending statute to exempt <br />the Gila, except such return flows as might reach the <br />mainstream, from any Obligation under the Mexican Treaty <br />and to allow Arizona exclusive beneficial use of the Gila <br />within the state. Both amendments were defeated. <br /> <br />-21- <br />