Thursday, June 11, 2015

UNFORTUNATE NEWS
Dear Fellow Anglers:
The BNSF Railroad Company announced that they will be closing public access and posting NO TRESPASSING signs on their rail line in the Oak Springs Fish hatchery area on the Deschutes River.

Apparently during the salmonfy hatch this May, there were a lot of people fishing this area and some anglers were uncooperative in getting completely of the tracks when trains were approaching. Due to the public's unwillingness to move a safe distance away from train traffic and/or work crew activities, several complaints were called into BNSF headquarters from railroad employees. Obviously the concern from BNSF is public safety and of course not to be liable if anyone is injured or killed.

This means the public will NOT be allowed to walk along or cross the tracks from R/R mile marker 51 down stream to Whiter river. Railroad Law Enforcement will issue citations to those trespassing on railroad property. At this time the only way you access this area is by boat.

If you have questions, or would like to make a formal comment, you may contact BNSF (360) 418-6350.

You can and should contact ODFW's main office (503) 947-6000 and ask for the "Public Access Department". They specifically work on keeping public access open for our enjoyment.

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