The Long Island Sound is one of the gems of New York State, recognized for its beauty, for its peacefulness, and, especially farther out on Long Island's North Fork, for its connection to the Atlantic Ocean. The Sound is used for recreation by boaters, swimmers, and others who are drawn to its beaches and vistas. It also is used for a wide range of commercial activities. And, in that regard, the Sound—alone or in conjunction with the various bays, coves, harbors, and inlets that border the coast of Long Island's North Shore—often becomes the subject of litigation.