RUPERT, W.Va. -- The state Division of Natural Resources says the first phase of a catch-and-release trout fishing adventure on land owned by MeadWestvaco is underway.

The DNR announced Tuesday that a section of Laurel Creek above Jettsville is open under the voluntary program for native brook trout.

The Glen Allen, Va.-based paper company and the DNR announced last year they planned a multiyear effort to improve trout fishing on 146,000 acres of West Virginia timberland MeadWestvaco owns in Fayette, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.

MeadWestvaco is working to restore streams in the area to regenerate native trout populations.

The trout adventure program is expected to eventually involve more than 538 miles of streams in the area.