By many measures, access to the state's coastal waters is declining for working-class visitors -- but not to the actual sand. Thanks in part to state regulations that make the construction of access points automatic when beaches are renourished, official access points have increased in number.

In 2004, three groups, the state Division of Coastal Management, the federally funded N.C. Sea Grant, and the Shore and Beach Preservation Association counted beach access points controlled by local governments, mapping them with a satellite system.

They tallied 550 public access points, more than 6,200 parking spaces at lots and street ends, and 43 restroom facilities along the state's ocean beaches. Those numbers don't include the formal access points at state parks and national seashores, which feature parking lots and in some cases bathrooms and showers.

Two years later, there are now even more access points, said Carteret County native Harry Simmons, director of the N.C. Beach, Inlet & Waterway Association. "We're almost at the point now where we can't do much more for beach access," he said.

In an access report card recently, his group gave beach access an "A," estimating that there are 600 access points and 6,500 parking spaces.

Some informal paths through the dunes have vanished, but that's a good thing because they were destroying the fragile dune environment, he said.

On the same report card, his group gave public access to coastal waters a "D," citing the sale of marinas, piers. The group urged action before it was too late.