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UPDATING THE HOOVER DAM DOCUMENTS <br />1969. The California draft followed the format of Reclamation's initial draft and provided the model for the <br />criteria later adopted by the Secretary. <br />The major points of the California draft included retention of the Filling Criteria until they terminate under <br />their own terms; the ability of the Secretary to revise the criteria; no rule curve to be promulgated at this time <br />since it did not impact the Upper Basin and would not be a factor for at least 20 years, but the Secretary <br />would determine annually the quantities of storage to be maintained in the Upper Basin reservoirs; i.e., "the <br />Section 602(a) Storage" and the factors relevant thereto; a minimum release of 8.23 maf per year when <br />either the forecast total of Upper Basin storage is below that of the "602(a) Storage" or the active storage of <br />Lake Powell is below that of Lake Mead; the 8.23 maf figure would not be a commitment that it did or did not <br />include the amount needed to meet the Mexican Treaty obligation of the Upper Basin; releases greater than <br />8.23 maf would be made when the active storage of Lake Powell is above Lake Mead and the forecast Upper <br />Basin storage exceeds the "602(a) Storage"; releases would not be made that would bypass the normal <br />capacity of Glen Canyon Powerplant; prior to commencement of Central Arizona Project deliveries, all <br />Lower Basin consumptive uses would be met and thereafter releases from Lake Mead would implement Arti- <br />cle II(B) of the Decree in Arizona v. California; shortage conditions would become operative when the fore- <br />cast for the September 30 elevation at Lake Mead is less than 1100 feet and if reduced to 1090 feet, releases <br />at Lake Mead would be curtailed to the quantity of water released at Lake Powell; i.e., CAP would be re- <br />duced to municipal and industrial requirements. <br />F. Arizona Draft <br />On November 19, 1969, Arizona submitted its proposals for the Operating Criteria. They provided, <br />among other things, for flexibility and formal review every 5 years; 8.7 maf of water (this was Arizona's <br />estimate of sustainable yield from its studies) to be released from Lake Powell in any year that spill is not im- <br />minent when the forecasted September 30 active storage of Lake Powell is less than the forecasted Sep- <br />tember 30 active storage of Lake Mead; when the April-July runoff forecast indicates that the forecasted ac- <br />tive storage in Colorado River Storage Project reservoirs on September 30 will be greater than the require- <br />ments for active storage to assure 8.7 maf to the Lowei Basin while meeting Upper Basin annual consump- <br />tive uses without impairment, more than 8.7 maf would be released if needed to meet annual requirements <br />of water from Lake Mead and to equalize active storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead on September 30 of <br />the current water year; and no bypass of Glen Canyon Powerplant. <br />It was also Arizona's position that the Filling Criteria should terminate on their own terms and all active <br />storage in Lake Mead should be used to minimize Lower Basin shortages. <br />G. Nevada's Views <br />On November 21, 1969, Nevada filed its comments which paralleled those of California as to not using a <br />rule curve, retention of the Filling Criteria, and no iirawdown of Lake Mead below elevation 1090. <br />H. Upper Basin Comments <br />On November 19 1969, the Engineering Committee of the Upper Colorado River Commission provided <br />Its comments. It emphasized the need for storage of water in the Upper Basin to permit maximum use of its <br />entitlement and to assure delivery of an average of 7.5 maf annually to the Lower Basin, but stressed that the <br />use of water for power was subservient to its use for domestic and agricultural purposes. It also made the <br />following specific position points: <br />(1) The Filling Criteria and "deficiency" payments must be terminated as they are detrimental to Upper <br />Basin interests; that to May 30, 1969, the replacement of these deficiencies has depleted the Upper Colo- <br />rado River Basin Fund by $44.5 million computing Glen Canyon energy transferred to Hoover power con- <br />tractors at 3.0 mtls/kWh, or $75 million if computed at 6.0 mils/kWh; that if the Filling Criteria are con- <br />tinued the Lower Colorado River Basin Fund should bear the cost of the "deficiencies" rather than the Up- <br />per Basin Fund. <br />A-5