[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5343-5344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2427]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-246 (Sub-No. 2X)] 1
Yreka Western Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in
Siskiyou County, CA
On January 14, 1999, Yreka Western Railroad Company (YW) 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 to abandon
its entire 8.9-mile line of railroad extending between milepost 0.0 in
Montague and milepost 8.9 near Yreka, in Siskiyou County, CA. The line
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 96064 and 96097 and includes no
stations.
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\1\ This petition for exemption was originally docketed as AB-
246 (Sub-No. 1X) and has been redocketed to AB-246 (Sub-No. 2X),
same title. A previous YW abandonment application was denied in
Yreka Western Railroad Company--Abandonment--In Siskiyou County, CA,
Docket No. AB-246 (Sub-No. 1) (ICC served Nov. 6, 1987).
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The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in YW's possession will be made available promptly to
those requesting it.
In this proceeding, YW is proposing to abandon a line that
constitutes its entire rail system. When issuing abandonment authority
for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the
Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically
enumerated circumstances. See Northampton and Bath R. Co.--Abandonment,
354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (Northampton). Therefore, if the Board
grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one
or more of the exceptions articulated in Northampton are present, no
labor protective conditions would be imposed.
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 4, 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 offer 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 February 23, 1999. 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-246 (Sub-No. 2X) 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) Fritz R. Kahn, Suite 750 West, 1100
New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005-3934. Replies to the YW
petition are due on or before February 23, 1999.
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
[[Page 5344]]
(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: January 27, 1999.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-2427 Filed 2-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
