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LAw OF THE RIVER The "Law of the River"" refers to a coilection of compacts, agreements, contracts, an international treaty. state and federal legislation. U.S. Supreme Court decisions and federal administrative actions thaf apportion and regulate the use and manage- ment of Colorado River water among the seven basin states and Mexico. Many regard the major components of the Law of the River as a constitution, because it establishes a framework for managing the river's resources. Among the most significant ot the many documents are: 1) The Colorado River Compact of 1922. which divided the rights to the use of Colorado River water between the Upper and Lower Basins. 2) The Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928, which ratified the Colorado River Compact and authorized construction of Hoover Dam, its power plant and the Ail-American Canal. The act also established the basic apportion. ments of the river among the three Lower Basin states. 3) The California Limitation Act of 1929, which specified that construction of Hoover Dam would not be initiated until California had imposed a limitation of 4.4 million-acre-feet on its annual use of the Colorado River in "normal years" plus one-half of all surplus water when it is available. 4) The Seven-Party Agreement of 1931, which divided California's 4.4 million acre-feet allotment among the seven major water users in the state. 5) The Mexican Water Treaty of 1944. in which the United States agreed to deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to Mexico annually, except under surplus or shortage conditions. 6) The Upper Colorado River Basin Compact of 1948, which apportioned the use of water among fhe Upper Basin states on a percent- age basis. 7) The Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956. which authorized storage reservoirs 10 and dams, including Glen Canyon. in the Upper Basin and on its tributary rivers. 8) The Arizona v. California U.S. Supreme Court Decree in 1964. which resolved the Lower Basin main stem apportionment among Arizona, California and Nevada and estab- lished the measure of American Indian water rights for five tribes below Hoover Dam. 9) The Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968. which authorized construction of CAP and limited diversions to CAP during short- ages to assure California's use of its annual 4.4 million acre-feet apportionment. 10) The "Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs of 1970: which assured the coordinated operation of reservoirs in the Upper and Lower Basins including criteria for water releases from Lake Powell. 11) Code of Federal Regulations. Title 43, Part 417. 1972. which requires Ihat use of Colorado River water in Ihe Lower Basin by an enlitlement holder must not exceed Ihe amount reasonably required for Ihe benefi- cial uses aulhorized by Ihe entitlement. 12) Minule 242 of the International Boundary and Water Commission. United States and Mexico. issued in 1973. which eslablished slandards for the salinily of water arriving al Moralos Dam in Mexico. 13) The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (1984 and 1995 amendments). which authorized desalting and salinity control projects to improve Colorado River water quality. In addition to these documents, Ihe federal ESA and various American Indian water claim settlements affect Ihe extent 10 which water developments and diversions can be utilized in the Colorado River basin. Legislation. such as the Grand Canyon Protection Act passed by Congress in 1992. ensure Ihat releases from Glen Canyon Dam are regulated 10 take into account environmenlal concerns including fisheries. natural habitat as well as recreation.