Coastal communities in America provide vital economic, social, and recreational opportunities for millions of Americans, but decades of population migration have transformed our coastal landscapes and intensified demand on finite coastal resources. The increase in population has resulted in new housing developments and recreation facilities, a new generation of energy development activities, port expansions, and other business activities. These changes are placing tremendous pressure on coastal lands, water supplies, and traditional ways of life. To facilitate the development of new policies, institutional capacities, and management approaches to guide the preservation and use of coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources, the National Sea Grant Law Center provides legal research, outreach, and education on coastal development issues such as working waterfronts, recreation and tourism, resource use, and coastal access.