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'. , ,. 21-27 LAW OF THE COLORADO RIVER ~ 21.03[4] The Colorado River water deficiency might be alleviated to some degree by more skillful management and conservation of water.103 It might also be relieved by cooperative efforts among the Basin states. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum has managed admirably to deal with the sa- linity problem without aggravating interstate conflicts. But the states have succeeded here largely because it has been painless for them to unite in support of a program that is centered on increased federal aid. Federal aid to remedy the deficiency in the amount of River water has already been promised, but not materialized. The impact of the 2.5 m.a.f. deficiency may have to be adjusted by appeal to an estab- lished forum external to the seven Basin states. [4] Fundamental Issues The deficiency of water in the Colorado River has gener- ated two fundamental issues concerning the application of the 1922 Compact: 1. Should the Upper Basin forego, as Lower Basin observ- ers presume it must, a portion of its Article UI(a) allocation in order to deliver to the Lower Basin 75 m.a.f. every ten years under Article IIl(d); and 2. How should the burden of fulfilling the Mexican Treaty obligation be distributed between the two Basins. The latter issue, sometimes referred to as the "Gila River Problem," was summarized in a 1979 report to the Congress by the Comptroller General: A major dispute exists between the Upper and Lower Basins over supplying the 1.5 m.a.f. commitment to Mex- ico. The Colorado River Compact states that any required delivery of water to Mexico shall be supplied first from the water surplus to the basic apportionment from the Colo- rado River system (7.5 m.aJ. to the Upper Basin, 8.5 m.a.f. to the Lower Basin) and if the surplus is insufficient, the burden of such deficiency shall be borne equally by the two basins. ' 103 See Report to the Congress of the United States. supra note 64, at 19-20, 23-24.