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