New Jersey residents Richard and Sheila Tappen own a cottage on Popham Beach in Phippsburg and now claim to own beach property in front of other cottages, too.
Some even organized a protest on Saturday morning on the beach near the property.
However, despite the hundreds who were interested in attending on social media, CBS 13 did not see anyone protesting at the expected time and location.
But as the legal fight heats up, some say this could set a dangerous precedent for all of Maine’s beachfront properties.
Nate Harring and his family rent a cottage from the Hill family, which is being sued by the Tappens.
“I do think it would be a little absurd if one property owner suggested that they owned the rights to the beach next door,” said Harring. “I think that would set a dangerous precedent for all of Maine.”
The Hill family has filed a counter suit in a case that could have far-reaching effects on waterfront properties in Maine.
The Hills’ attorney, Ben Ford, told CBS 13 what could happen if the Tappens’ win their lawsuit.
“If the Tappens are successful in this lawsuit, then what that means is any unallocated land can be sold and if the unallocated land can be sold, that means the beach can be sold,” said Ford. “And if the beach can be sold, that means it can become private property and people can be thrown off of the beach,” he said.
Ford says there was no legal transaction of land being sold, claiming this area is a common area.
The suit also claims that the Hills’ deck, beach path, ramp and shed are on the Tappens’ property.
Beachgoers say the situation is absurd.
“We’re just looking for a nice day at the beach,” said Harring. “We come up here for the week and just really enjoy Maine and we just want a quiet week.”
CBS 13 tried to reach out to the Tappens for comment. Their attorney referred CBS 13 to court documents.