NO LONGER STOCKED
Rail line shuts down access to stream

Two popular fishing areas in Cameron County will not be stocked with trout this spring, since the public has no legal access to the waterways.

The Pa. Fish and Boat Commission confirmed last week that sections on the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek covering more than nine miles have been removed from its stocking program.

"This is the result of an announcement by Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad to fully enforce trespass laws along its line," the agency said in a news release. "The two sections can only be accessed by crossing the railroad tracks." They're located below Emporium Hardwoods to Hunts Run, and below Sterling Run, from the railroad crossing near Tunnel Hill downstream to the railroad crossing near Grindstone Hollow, north of Driftwood.

About 9.5 miles are being removed from stocking.

Last August 2007, WNYPRR leased part of the Norfolk Southern rail line along the Portage and Driftwood branches of Sinnemahoning Creek. The railroad then announced its intention to enforce trespass violations on its property.

The Fish and Boat Commission requires that fish beplacedonlyinwa- ters that are open to the public.

There's still a chance that the stocking decision will be reversed.

"We hope to work with the railroad to identify locations for anglers to lawfully access affected sections of the stream," the agency reported. "In the meantime, we request anglers avoid crossing railroad tracks when heading to the Driftwood Branch."