00-25247. Wisconsin Central Ltd.-Abandonment Exemption-In Langlade, Menominee and Shawano Counties, WI

On September 19, 2000, Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) filed with 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 ^[1] to abandon a line of railroad known as the White Lake-Shawano Line, between milepost 280 north of White Lake and milepost 314.3 north of Shawano, in Langlade, Menominee, and Shawano Counties, WI, a distance of 34.3 miles. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 54491, 54150, 54128, and 54166, and includes stations at White Lake (milepost 282.8), Neopit (milepost 296.8), Gresham (milepost 306.6), and Thornton (milepost 312.6).

The line does contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in WCL'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 January 5, 2001.

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. 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 October 26, 2000. 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-303 (Sub-No. 25X) 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) Michael J. Barron, Jr., P.O. Box 5062, Rosemont, IL 60017-5062. Replies to the WCL petition are due on or before October 26, 2000.

Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at [phone] 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 [phone]. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-877-8339.]

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: September 26, 2000.

By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  WCL's petition states that it seeks exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903-05, thus evidently including exemption from the offer of financial assistance (OFA) requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905. WCL has not submitted evidence to establish that the proposed exemptions from sections 10904 and 10905 meet the criteria of 49 U.S.C. 10502. Therefore, its request as to those two provisions will not be considered.