The sandy beaches in southern Maine are one of the state's primary tourist attractions, as well as important habitats for wildlife.
Beaches are dynamic features, however, that respond to a variety of forcing mechanisms.
Because of growing population and increase in development along the coast in the past several decades, it is necessary to study and comprehend changes that are occurring in these systems. It is generally believed that the quality of Maine's sand beaches are declining due to encroachment by over development and the rising level of the sea. The public does not notice that these important resources are slowly eroding, however, until property and buildings are at immediate risk. The current laws in Maine require removal of buildings that are destroyed by a storm, and one cannot erect new engineering structures to protect property. Therefore, the only options for property at risk are building relocation and beach nourishment.