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<br />Gu2283 <br />LONG-RANGE OPERATING CRITERIA <br /> <br />CRITERIA FOR COORDINATED LONG-RANGE OPERATION OF COLORADO RIVER RESERVOIRS <br />PURSUANT TO 1HE COLORADO RIV'ER BASIN PROJECf ACf OF SEPfEMBER 30, 1968 (p.L 90-537) <br /> <br />These Operating Criteria are promulgated in compliance with Section 602 of Public Law 90-537. They are to <br />control the coordinated long-range operation of the storage reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin constructed under <br />the authority of the Colorado River Storage Act (hereinafter "Upper Basin Storage Reservoirs") and the Boulder <br />Canyon Project Act (Lake Mead). The Operating Criteria will be administered consistent with applicable Federal <br />laws, the Mexican Water Treaty, interstate compacts, and decrees relating to the use of the waters of the Colorado <br />River. <br /> <br />The SecretaIy of the Interior (hereinafter the "Secretary") may modify the Operating Criteria from time to time in <br />accordance with Section 602(b) of P.L. 90-537. The Secretuy will sponsor a formal review of the Operating <br />Criteria at least every 5 years, with participation by State representatives as each Governor may designate and such <br />l <br />other parties and agencies as the Secretary may deem appropriate. <br /> <br />I. Annual Report <br /> <br />(1) On January 1, 1972, and on January 1 of each year thereafter, the Secretary shall transmit to the <br />Congress and to the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States a report describing the actual operation <br />under the adopted criteria for the preceding compact water year and the projected plan of operation for the <br />current year. <br /> <br />(2) The plan of operation shall include such detailed mles and quantities as may be necessary and COD$istent <br />with the criteria contained herein, and shall reflect appropriate consideration of the uses of the reservoirs <br />for all purposes, including flood control, river regulation, beneficial consumptive uses, power production, <br />water quality control, recreation, enhancement of fish and wildlife, and other environmental factors. The <br />projected plan of operation may be revised to reflect the current hydrologic conditions, and the Congress <br />and the Governors of the Colorado River Basin States shall be advised of any changes by June of each <br />year. <br /> <br />D. Operation of Upper Basin Reservoirs <br /> <br />(1) The annual plan of operation shall include a determination by the Secretary of the quantity of water <br />considered necessary as of September 30 of each year to be in storage as required by Section 602(a) of <br />P.L. 90-537 (hereinafter "602(a) Storage"). The quantity of 602(a) Storage shall be determined by the <br />Secretary afte~ consideration of all applicable laws and relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the <br />following: <br /> <br />(a) Historic streamflows; <br />(b) The most critical period of record; <br />(c) Probabilities of water supply; <br />(d) Estimated future depletions of the upper basin, including the effects of recurrence of critical <br />periods of water supply; <br />(e) The "Report of the Committee on Probabilities and Test Studies to the Task Force on <br />Operating Criteria for the Colorado River, "dated October 30, 1969, and such additional studies <br />as the Secretary deems necessary; <br />(t) The necessity to assure that upper basin consump,tive uses not be impaired because of failure <br />to store sufficient water to assure deliveries under Section 602(a)(I) and (2) of P.L. 90.537. <br /> <br />116 <br />