Apparently, laws about beach access and organizations protecting beaches in our country rage battles all the time.
Is the beach something that can be privatly owned?
Can a beach limit its hours of use?
Is it appropriate to charge an entrance fee for shore access (not parking)?
Is using a beach a natural right for all?
These are just some resources I found today. I am sure there are much better resources out there. But I am tired.
State of the Beach:
http://www.beach.com/stateofthebeach2004/home.asp
In Hawaii:
Hawaii's beaches belong to the people. All beaches (even those in front of exclusive resorts) are public property and you are welcome to visit them. Hawaii state law requires that all resorts and hotels offer public right-of-way access (across their private property) to the beach, along with public parking. So just because a beach fronts a hotel doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the water. It does mean that the hotel may restrict certain areas on private property for hotel guests' use only. Generally, hotels welcome non-guests to their facilities. They frown on non-guests using the beach chairs reserved for guests, but if a non-guest has money and wants to rent gear, buy a drink, or eat a sandwich, well, money is money and they will gladly accept it from anyone. However, that does not mean that you can willy-nilly cross private property to get to a beach. Look for BEACH ACCESS signs; don't trespass.
Florida:
http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/Vol151/spain1.htm
In California:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=prc&group=30001-31000&file=30210-30214
In New Jersey:
http://www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/2004/gs040712.php#BATTLE%20FOR%20BEACH%20ACCESS%20RAGES
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