The Protection Working Group, whose members included geologists, engineers, and fisheries biologists from public and private scientific and regulatory agencies, analyzed structural and nonstructural alternatives to protect development from flooding, erosion, and other coastal hazards. This analysis lead to the development of the following list of primary potential benefits and impacts along the coast of Massachusetts. The potential benefits and impacts of protection alternatives are based on the assumption that the alternatives will be properly designed, engineered, and constructed using best available measures. The benefits and impacts will vary depending on specific site conditions including placement location. This list should be a valuable resource during the evaluation of innovative erosion control measures (Recommendation #27). The list is also intended as a general resource for decision makers who may not have knowledge of what potential benefits and impacts may exist.