[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7195-7196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3618]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 184X)]
Norfolk and Western Railway Co.--Abandonment Exemption--In
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH
On January 23, 1998, Norfolk and Western Railway Company (NW) 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. 10903-10905
\1\ to abandon a segment of a line of railroad known as the Riverfront
Running Track, between Oasis and Plum Street, a distance of
approximately 1.5 miles, in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH.\2\ The
line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 45202 and 45203. There are
no stations on the line.
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\1\ NW 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. Exemptions from 49 U.S.C. 10904-05 have been
granted from time to time, but only when the right-of-way is needed
for a valid public purpose and there is no overriding public need
for continued rail service.
\2\ Concurrent filings were made in: STB Docket No. AB-532X, The
Cincinnati Terminal Railway Company (Indiana & Ohio Railway Company,
Successor)--Discontinuance of Service Exemption--In Cincinnati,
Hamilton County, OH; and STB Docket No. AB-167 (Sub-No. 1180X),
Consolidated Rail Corporation--Discontinuance of Trackage Rights
Exemption--in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH; and STB Docket No.
AB-31 (Sub-No. 30), Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated--
Adverse Discontinuance of Trackage Rights Application--A Line of
Norfolk and Western Railway Company in Cincinnati, Hamilton County,
OH.
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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 Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360
I.C.C. 91 (1979).
[[Page 7196]]
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 May 13, 1998.
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 the filing fee, which
currently is set at $900. 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
March 4, 1998.\3\ Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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\3\ NW states that, since it has already agreed to transfer the
line to the City of Cincinnati, NW will not negotiate with any party
for transfer of the line for trail use.
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All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No.
290 (Sub-No. 184X) 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 R. Paschall, Norfolk and
Western Railway Company, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-
2191.
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 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.
Decided: February 6, 1998.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-3618 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
