Delaware’s beaches are the State’s most heavily utilized outdoor recreation resource. There are 24.5 miles of sandy beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean from the mouth of the Delaware Bay to the Maryland border. Of this space, 12 miles are contained within state parks. Over 6 million coastal area visitors each year contribute a significant amount to the State’s travel industry net of over $850 million a year. This large number of visitors, however, creates conflict with the coastal wildlife. There are many coastal resources that are disturbed by beach erosion, coastal development, and development which can impact coastal waters by the addition of sediments, toxic pollutants,or wastes. Preservation of the coastal waters, a valuable financial and aesthetic resource, must be a balance of the conflict between development and environmental protection.