[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7688-7689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3647]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-558X]
Doniphan, Kensett and Searcy Railway--Abandonment Exemption--in
Searcy, White County, AR
On January 27, 1999, Doniphan, Kensett and Searcy Railway (DK&S)
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 portion of its line of railroad known as the
DK&S Branch extending from milepost 299.12 to the end of the line at
milepost 300.40, in Searcy, a distance of 1.28 miles in White County,
AR. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 72143, 72144 and
72145 and includes the non-agency rail station at milepost 300.40 in
Searcy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ DK&S 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 DK&S'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 May 17, 1999.
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
[[Page 7689]]
trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than
March 8, 1999.2 Each trail use request must be accompanied
by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ DK&S states that, because it has already agreed to transfer
the property to Harding University for use in constructing campus
housing, DK&S will not negotiate with any party for transfer of the
line for trail use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No.
AB-558X 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) Joseph D. Anthofer, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 830,
Omaha, NE 68179-0830.
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: February 4, 1999.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-3647 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
