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Introduction The operation of the Colorado River Basin during the past year and the projected operation for the current year rellect 1l00d control, river regulation, beneficial consumptive uses, hydroelectric power generation, waler quality control, enhancement of fish and wildlife, recreation, and Colorado River Compact requirements. Storage and release of water from the Upper Basin reservoirs are governed by all applicable laws and agreements concerning the Colorado River, including the impoundment and release of water in the Upper Basin required by Section 602(a) of the Colorado River Basin Project Act of September 30, 1968 (public Law 90-537). The operation of the Lower Basin reservoirs rellects Mexican Treaty obligations and Lower Basin contractual commitments. Notbing in tbis report is intended to interpret the provisions of the Colorado River Compact (45 Stal. 1057), the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact (63 Stat. 31), the Water Treaty of 1944 with the United Mexican States (Treaty Series 994, 59 Stal. 1219), the United States/Mexico agreement in Minute No. 242 of August 30, 1973, (Treaty Series 7708; 24 UST 1968), the Decree entered by the Supreme Court of the United States in Arizona v. California et al. (376 U.S. 340), the Boulder Canyon Project Act (45 Stal. 1057), the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act (54 Stat. 774; 43 U.S.C. 618a), the Colorado River Storage Project Act (70 Stal. 105; 43 U.S.c. 620), the Colorado River Basin Project Act (82 Stat. 885; 43 U.S.c. 15(1), the Colorado River Salinity Control Act (88 Stat. 266; 43 U .S.C. 1951), the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984 (98 Stat. 1333), or the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (106 Stal. 46(9). Authority for Report Pursuant to the Colorado River Basin Project Act (Public Law 90-537) of 1968, I am pleased to present to the Congress, and to the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States, the twenty-f.fth annual report on the Operation of the Colorado River Basin. This report describes the actual operation of the reservoirs in the Colorado River drailJage area constructed under the authority of the Colorado River Storage Project Act, the Boulder Canyon Project Act; and the Boulder Canyon Project Adjustment Act during water year 1995, and the projected operation of these reservoirs during water year 1996, under the "Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs," (Operating Criteria) published in the Federal Rel!ister June 10, 1970. The Operating Criteria and Section 602 of Public Law 90-537 mandate consultation with representatives of the Governors of the seven Basin States and the Upper Colorado River Commission relative to annual plans for operation of the Colorado River reservoirs. The 1996 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation in consultation with the Governors' representatives of the seven Basin States, the Upper Colorado River Commission, other Federal and State agencies, and the public interests. Bruce Babbill, Secretary United States Department of the Interior 1