[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 52373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26542]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7)]
CSX Corporation and CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern
Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Control and Operating
Leases/Agreements--Conrail, Inc. and Consolidated Rail Corporation
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessments for
Three Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) Rail Line Constructions and
Four CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) Rail Line Constructions Prior to
the Surface Transportation Board's Decision on the Acquisition and
Division of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail).
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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice of the
availability of the environmental assessments (EA) and public comment
period for three NS rail line constructions and four CSX rail line
constructions. Although the EAs recommend several mitigation measures
to off-set specific environmental effects, the EAs generally conclude
that there will be no significant environmental impacts associated with
the construction of these rail lines.
DATES: Written comments on the environmental impacts of Finance Docket
No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7) are due October 27, 1997.
ADDRESSES: If you wish to file comments on the EAs, send an original
and 10 copies to: Vernon A. Williams, Secretary, Surface Transportation
Board, 1925 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20423-0001. Mark
the lower left corner of the envelope: Attention: Dana White,
Environmental Comments, Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana White, Section of Environmental
Analysis, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20423-0001; (202) 565-1552. TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 565-
1695. Copies of the EAs may also be obtained by contacting Ms. White.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 10, 1997, CSX, NS and Conrail filed
their notice of intent to file an application seeking the Board's
authorization for: (1) The acquisition by CSX and NS of control of
Conrail, and (2) the division of Conrail's assets. Shortly afterwards,
NS and CSX requested and received approval from the Board to seek the
Board's authority to construct and operate seven rail line connections
prior to the Board's decision on the acquisition and division of
Conrail.
The seven rail line constructions are each relatively short (a
total length of under 4 miles), would provide connections between two
rail carriers, and would take place within existing rights-of-way.
Early authorization to construct these connections, CSX and NS
contended, would allow them to provide efficient service in competition
with each other. However, no construction can occur until the Board
completes its environmental review of each of the construction
projects. Further, the Board advised CSX and NS that they were
proceeding at their own risk in expending resources prior to the
Board's decision on the acquisition transaction.
In seven separate EAs, the Board considered the environmental
aspects of these proposed constructions and the railroads' proposed
operations over these lines. The operational implications of the
acquisition as a whole, including operations over the roughly 4 miles
of line embraced by the seven connection projects, will be examined in
the environmental impact statement being prepared to assess the impacts
of the entire acquisition transaction.
On October 7, 1997, the Board served the EAs on Federal, state and
local agencies and members of the affected communities. Although the
EAs recommend several mitigation measures to off-set specific
environmental effects, the EAs generally conclude that there will be no
significant environmental impacts. There is a 20-day public comment
period ending October 27, 1997. The Board will consider the findings of
the EAs as well as any comments on the EAs in its decision to approve
or deny the construction of each of these lines.
The following is a list of the EAs, the locations of the proposed
rail line constructions, the railroads, and their sub-docket numbers
within the primary Finance Docket Number 33388 for the proposed
acquisition:
Environmental Assessments for Seven Rail Line Constructions
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Location Railroad Finance docket 33388
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Crestline, OH................... CSX............. (Sub No. 1)
Willow Creek, IN................ CSX............. (Sub No. 2)
Greenwich, OH................... CSX............. (Sub No. 3)
Sidney Junction, OH............. CSX............. (Sub No. 4)
Sidney, IL...................... NS.............. (Sub No. 5)
Alexandria, IN.................. NS.............. (Sub No. 6)
Bucyrus, OH..................... NS.............. (Sub No. 7)
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By the Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-26542 Filed 10-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
