Chapter 1 identifies how shorelines are converted to artifacts by eliminating dunes to facilitate coastal construction and provide beach access and by grading and cleaning beaches to make them more attractive to beach users. Beach erosion and attempts to retain buildings and infrastructure near the shoreline can result in truncation or loss of beach, dune, and active bluff environments. Restoring lost landforms and habitat can compensate for past losses, protect endangered species, retain seed sources, enhance nature tourism, make the coast more resilient to future perturbations and reestablish appreciation for naturally functioning landscapes. The values of beaches and dunes are identified and different restoration approaches are presented. The underpinning principles for restoration and policy guidelines are presented; and restoration approaches are categorized. The case is made that restoration to a previously undisturbed state is not feasible on developed coasts, and the challenge is to maximize natural features to the extent allowed by natural processes and competing human demands. Alternatives to achieve these outcomes are addressed in the subsequent chapters.