October 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 50

L AW R E V I E W

ceived fear of liability may not have
any legal basis under the Virginia RUS.
In many instances, however, liability
concerns are offered as a mere pretext,
a convenient excuse, to deny public
recreation access across private land.
Denying public recreation access based
on liability effectively short circuits and
ends the discussion. It's always easier
to deny access and not have to spend
the time and effort necessary to partner
with public entities to allow public recreation trail access along a utility corridor or a railroad right of way.
Aside from indemnification from
any liability and the cost of legal representation under the Virginia RUS,
what benefit accrues to the private
landowners, in particular railroad and
utility companies? Similar to sponsors
in an " adopt-a-highway " program,

48	 Parks & Recreation

trail advocates and public entities
might ensure that railroad and utility companies receive public relations
benefits and recognition for providing
public recreational trail access across
their property.
Recently, there have been a series of
news reports involving derailments of
crude oil tanker trains. One derailment
triggered a catastrophic fire near downtown Lynchburg, Virginia. In light of
this bad press, railroad companies in
Virginia and elsewhere might be concerned about a potential future incident
involving injuries to users of a public
recreation trail adjacent to a railroad
right-of-way. Despite the existence of a
valid and enforceable Section E to cover
any liability and legal costs associated
with injuries to recreational users, the
railroad company may still fear adverse

| O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

impacts to its business operations and
reputation in the court of public opinion in the event of an accident. 
Media Report Anxiety
In Virginia, the State Trails Committee
provides advice to the Commonwealth
of Virginia on a number of trail-related
issues, including liability concerns related to the use of private rail and utility
corridors for public trail systems. In particular, a news report has raised ongoing
consternation among public agencies
about a perceived " precedent " set by a
wrongful death claim against the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries (DGIF). (See: www.courthousenews.com/2014/12/31/va-utilityfaces-200m-wrongful-death-suit.htm.)
As described in the media report,
the family of a 6-year-old girl who



October 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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