Public Shoreline Access In Maine : A Citizen's Guide To Ocean And Coastal Law

While Maine boasts thousands of miles of coastline, only a small portion of the state's beaches is publicly owned. But even where coastal property is privately owned, the public still has legal rights to intertidal land for certain traditional uses; many Mainers are familiar with the phrase 'fishing, fowling, and navigation.' This document summarizes the history of several key lawsuits highlighting rights to shoreline access in Maine, and also discusses options for securing public access to the Maine coast.