The research assesses the implementation of the Federal Water Project Recreation Act in the Pacific Northwest in particular and in the U.S. in general. By passage of the Act Congress sought to (1) place the Bureau of Reclamation and Corps of Engineers on equal ground re the provision of recreation; (2) ensure that recreation and fish and wildlife became coequals with traditional project purposes; and (3) devolve upon nonfederal entities more financial and planning responsibilities for the enhancement of recreation and fish and wildlife. Implementation of the Act is halting and uneven at best. Implementation is more difficult in the Pacific Northwest than in the rest of the U.S. Although the protracted project gestation period and relative recency of the Act preclude firm conclusions, trends are apparent: It was unrealistic for Congress to expect the Act to accomplish the three goals given the water development system in which PL 89-72 operates.