[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 215 (Friday, November 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60040-60041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29825]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 203X)] 1
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\1\ NSR has filed with the Board two related petitions for
exemption. In Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Purchase Exemption--
Union Pacific Railroad Company, STB Finance Docket No. 33609 (STB
served Oct. 29, 1998), NSR is proposing to purchase from UP, and to
operate approximately 15.3 miles of rail line between Monterey
Junction, IL (including the southwest leg of the wye track at
Monterey Junction), and DeCamp, IL, plus certain yard tracks at
Madison, IL. In Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Lease and
Operation Exemption--Union Pacific Railroad Company, STB Finance
Docket No. 33610 (pending), NSR is proposing to lease from UP, and
to operate, approximately 4.7 miles of rail line between Monterey
Mine No. 1 near Carlinville, IL, and Monterey Junction, IL, and a
leg of the wye track and related trackage at Monterey Junction.
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Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in
Madison and Bond Counties, IL
On October 16, 1998, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption
[[Page 60041]]
from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 39.1-mile branch
line of railroad known as the Madison-Sorento Line or the Madison
Branch, extending between milepost TS-406.6 at Sorento, IL, and
milepost TS-445.7 at Madison, IL, in Madison and Bond Counties,
IL.2 The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 62001,
62025, 62060, 62074, and 62086, and includes the stations of Madison,
Stallings, Glen Carbon, Leclaire, Edwardsville, White (Town of
Alhambra), New Douglas, and Sorento.
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\2\ NSR indicates that the end point of the branch line at
Sorento has been shown on its system diagram map as milepost TS-
444.2 rather than TS-445.7. NSR requests an exemption or waiver from
the requirement that it list the 1.5 miles of the line between those
mileposts on its system diagram map. Because NSR has provided no
reasons for the Board to grant either exemption or waiver here, the
request will not be granted. It should be noted, however, that
failure to comply with 49 U.S.C. 10903(c)(2) is not grounds for
denial of this abandonment petition.
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The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in the railroad'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 3, 1999.
Any offer of financial assistance (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 November 27, 1998. 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-290 (Sub-No. 203X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) James R. Paschall, Three Commercial
Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-2191. Replies to the NSR petition are due on
or before November 27, 1998.
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 2, 1998.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-29825 Filed 11-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
