This thesis examples some of the factors that appear to have influenced the development of recreation and tourism in a special geographic area within the states of Washington and Oregon, The Mid• I Columbia Economic Development District. A central question this thesis attempts to answer is: Should the development of recreation and tourist activities be continued as a means of bolstering the lagging economies In the District. Up until this time, the District has been the benefactor of certain state and federal economic development programs whose primary thrust were: to cut unemployment, broaden economic bases In communities with lagging economies, and halt outward migrations of persons to urban areas.