BNSF Land Access

[Goshawk]

Generally speaking, are the BNSF lands along the Columbia River open for public access, not including the railways of course?  I can find nothing on line from BNSF regarding recreational use.

[hdshot]

Generally speaking, are the BNSF lands along the Columbia River open for public access, not including the railways of course?  I can find nothing on line from BNSF regarding recreational use.

Lots of duck hunters have been killed on RR tracks.  I would only cross tracks at public crossings.  With liability in today’s world you probably wouldn’t get permission from a corporation.  The main rule is if you can’t get permission then don’t hunt the land.

[HntnFsh]

Unless they have a public access point I would say no. When I worked for the railroad after 911 happened they closed all access down just like the ports and trespassing was a federal offense. You might be best to search BNSF phone number and see if you can talk to somebody. It may be possible that they have a way to access land a certain distance from the tracks etc.

[bigtex]

All railroad land is private property and public use is not allowed.

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[ducksdogsdownriggers]

"It is illegal to access private railroad property anywhere other than a designated pedestrian or roadway crossing. Trespassers are most often pedestrians who walk across or along railroad tracks as a shortcut to another destination."

https://railroads.dot.gov/railroad-safety/divisions/crossing-safety-and-trespass-prevention/trespass-prevention?utm

[Henrydog]

I have several friends that work for BN, they all say the same thing.  You never want a run in with a RR Cop.  They are basically US Marshalls and everything is handled in Federal Court.

[HntnFsh]

I have several friends that work for BN, they all say the same thing.  You never want a run in with a RR Cop.  They are basically US Marshalls and everything is handled in Federal Court.

Thats what I recall when I worked for the railroad. Seems like all their rigs had U.S. Government plates.

[Sandberm]

What year was it that they kicked all the Steelheaders out of the Wallula area because the tracks run next to the river? That sucked.