Railroad operation, acquisition, construction, etc.: Union Pacific Railroad Co.,

[Federal Register: November 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 222)]

[Notices]

[Page 63106]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr18no99-99]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 141X)]

Union Pacific Railroad Co.--Abandonment Exemption--in Pima County, AZ

On October 29, 1999, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filedwith the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903-05 ‹SUP›1‹/SUP› to abandon a segment of its line of railroad known as the South Drill Track extending from milepost 982.78 to the end of the line at milepost 984.70, near Tucson, a distance of 1.92 miles in Pima County, AZ. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 85745. There are no stations on the line.

\1\ UP seeks exemptions from the offer of financial assistance (OFA) provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905. These exemption requests will be addressed in the final decision.

The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in UP's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it.

The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).

By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by February 16, 2000.

Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the OFA provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904, any OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,000 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).

All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for other public use, including interim trail use. Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905, any request for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than December 8, 1999. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).

All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 141X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) James P. Gatlin, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 830, Omaha, NE 68179-0830. Replies to the UP petition are due on or before December 8, 1999.

Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at (202) 565-1545. (TDD for the hearing impaired is available at (202) 565-1695.)

An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement (EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 30 days of its service.

Board decisions and notices are available on our website at ``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

Decided: November 10, 1999.

By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-30026Filed11-17-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915-00-P