A dispute over a beach renourishment project along a 6.9-mile stretch in the Florida Panhandle has become the latest property rights case taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The question comes down to who has rights when a state adds tons of sand to a beach that is rapidly eroding away: the adjacent property owners or the government.

The state of Florida, backed by 26 other states and the nation's cities and counties, contends the new sand is public land for everyone's enjoyment.

The Florida property owners say their rights should extend until the beach touches the ocean.

The high court holds oral arguments Wednesday in Washington.