WSP05551

• File Number: 822.600.10
• Description: Colorado River Annual Operating Plan - Annual Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/2002
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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INTRODUCTION

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Authority

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This 2002 annual operating plan (ADP) was developed in accordance v.ith Section 602 of The
C%radoRiver Basin Project Act (Public Law 90-537), and the Criteriafor Coordinated Long-
Range Operation oj Colorado Ril'er Resermirs PIJTsuantlo the Colorado River Basin Project
Act of September 30, 1968 (Operating Criteria), promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior
pursuant thereto. the Record of Decision, Colorado River Interim Surplus Guidelines Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Interim Surplus Guidelines) (66 FR 7772), and other applicable
statutes. In accordance with The Colorado River Basin Project Act and the Operating Criteria,
the ADP must be developed and administered consistent with applicable Federal laws, Ihe
Utili:ation ofWatcrsofthe Coloradoalld Tijuana Rh'ersandoJthe Rio Grande, Treaty Between
the United States oj America and Mexico, signed February 3, 1944 (1944 U.S,-Mexico Water
Treaty), interstate compacts, court decrees, and other documents relating to the use of the waters
of the Colorado River, which are commonly and collectively known as "The Law of the River."

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The Operating Criteria and Section 602 of The Colorado Ri\'er Basin Project Act mandate
consultation with representatives of the Governors of the seven Basin States and such other
parties as the Secretary may deem appropriate in preparing the annual plan for operation of the
Colorado River reservoirs. In addition. The GrandCan)'on Protection Act oj /992 (Title XVIII
of Public Law 102-575) requires consultation to include the general public and others,
Accordingly, the 2002 AOP was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in
consultation with the seven Basin States Governors' representatives; the Upper Colorado River
Commission; Native American Tribes; appropriate Federal agencies; representatives of the
academic and scientific communities, environmental organizations, and the recreation industry;
water delivery contractors; contractors for the purchase of Federal power; others interested in
Colorado River operations; and the general public, through the Colorado River Management
Work Group (CRMWG),

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Purpose

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The purposes of the AOP are to determine: (1) the projected operation of the Colorado River
reservoirs to satisfy project purposes under varying hydrologic and climatic conditions; (2) the
quantity of water considered necessary as of September 30,2002, to be in storage in the Upper
Basin reservoirs as required by Section 602(a) of The Colorado Ri\'er Basin Project Act; (3)
water available for delivery pursuant to the 1944 U.S.~r-.1exico Water Treaty and Minute No. 242
of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (lBWC); (4)
\vhether the reasonable consumptive use requirements of mainstream users in the Lower Division
States will be met under a "normal," "surplus, n or "shortage" condition as outlined in Article III
of the Operating Criteria; and (5) whether water apportioned to, but unused by one or more
Lower Division States exists and can be used to satisfy beneficial consumptive use requests of

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Oclober 15, 200 1

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