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...-- THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON DEe I 5 1995 Honorable Gary E. Johnson Governor of New Mexico Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503 Dear Governor Johnson: The Bureau of Reclamation, after consultation at a meeting on July 18, 1995, with representatives of the Colorado River Basin States, the Upper Colorado River Commission, appropriate Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and others interested in Colorado River operations, established the Annual Operating Plan, (AOP) (copy enclosed) for the Colorado River reservoirs for 1996. The plan of operation reflects uses of the reservoirs for all purposes consistent with the "Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of the Colorado River Reservoirs Pursuant to the Colorado River Basin Project Act of September 30, 1968" (Operating Criteria). Pursuant to required Secretarial determinations, the minimum objective release of 10,150 million cubic meters (MCM), equivalent to 8.230 million acre-feet (MAF), will be released from Glen Canyon Dam during water year 1996 in accordance with Article II(2) of the Operating Criteria unless the equalization criterion in article II(3) is controlling_ If the equalization criterion is controlling, Glen Canyon Dam will be operated to release sufficient water during water year 1996 to equalize, as nearly as practicable, the active reservoir contents of Lakes Powell and Mead on September 30, 1996. Taking into account (1) the beneficial consumptive use requirements of Colorado River mainstream users in the Lower Division States are expected to be less than 9,250 MCM (7.500 MAF), (2) the existing water supply conditions in the basin, and (3) the predicted water supply conditions in the basin, the normal condition is the criterion governing the operation of Lake Mead for calendar year 1996 in accordance with Article 1II(3)(a) of the Operating Criteria and Article II(B)( 1) of the decree in Arizona v. Cali fomia. All beneficial consumptive needs of Colorado River mainstream users will be met in calendar year 1996, and 1,850 MCM (1.500 MAF) of water will be delivered to Mexico during calendar year 1996 in accordance with Article 15 of the 1944 Mexican Water Treaty and Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission. California or any Lower Division State will be allowed to use water apportioned to, but unused by, another Lower Division State in accordance with Article II(B)(6) of the decree in Arizona v. California. If the final Supreme Court decree accounting data for calendar year 1996 indicates that more than 9,250 MCM (7.500 MAF) were consumed in the Lower Division States, compensation for overuse of such water will be required from any State exceeding its .