Description: One of the many key goals of the Connecticut Coastal Management Program has been - and continues to be - improving public access to the coast. The Coastal_Access_Sites_Master layer, which is made available through the online Connecticut Coastal Access Guide (https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/coastalaccess/index.html) identifies over 350 locations on or around Long Island Sound and it’s harbors, bays, coves, tidal wetlands, rivers, streams, and creeks where people can actively or passively recreate and enjoy Connecticut coast. The inventory of these locations, which span sites across a spectrum of public and private ownership, is maintained by the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) - Land and Water Resources Division and is updated annually. Each feature in the Coastal_Access_Sites_Master layer identifies the environmental setting (e.g., beaches wetlands, islands, etc.), types of activities (e.g., fishing, shellfishing, birding, swimming, etc.), and facilities (picnicking, boat access, camping, nature centers, etc.) the site supports. The features also provide additional descriptive information, basic directions, and links to several site photos. A Map Guide that summarizes the key information for each site and provides vicinity maps is also provided via a downloadable PDF for users to refer to.Status: Complete, updates planned yearly in late Spring/early Summer.Date of Data: June 2022