Access to River Road in Lancaster, Pa., Must Be Kept Open, Railroad Finds.

Byline: Ad Crable

Aug. 30--Good news for Susquehanna River users: Norfolk Southern railroad says it has discovered that five river-access roads in Washington Boro must be open to the public.

Bad news for Susquehanna River users: The railroad has denied a request by state Rep. John Barley to delay removal of 20 to 30 docks, stairways and other structures along the river until after the fall hunting and recreation season.

What's more, Norfolk Southern says it will continue a "zealous enforcement policy" to keep the public off its tracks and river banks.

"The bottom line is we do not want and will not condone trespassing on our property," said Rudy Husband, a Norfolk Southern spokesman, this morning.

Boaters, anglers, hunters, birdwatchers and others who use the Susquehanna have been in an uproar since June, when the new owner of the former Conrail rail line announced it would bar the public from its property, which parallels the river for 44 miles in Lancaster County.

The utility owns the river bank in some areas, such as Washington Boro, and many roads leading to the river cross its tracks.