[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 11680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6828]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 70)]
Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment--Wallace Branch, ID
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.
\1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109
Stat. 803 (the Act), which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and
took effect on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce
Commission (ICC) and transferred certain functions to the Surface
Transportation Board (Board). This notice relates to functions that
are subject to Board jurisdiction pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10903.
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ACTION: Extension of comment filing period.
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SUMMARY: The Rails to Trails Conservancy seeks the issuance of a
certificate of interim trail use under section 8(d) of the National
Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d), for a 71.5-mile rail line of
Union Pacific Railroad Company between milepost 16.5, near Plummer, and
milepost 7.6, near Mullan, via milepost 80.4/0.0 near Wallace, in
Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties, ID. The ICC issued a notice
on December 29, 1995 (60 FR 67364) to request comments from all
interested parties, agencies, and members of the public as to whether
there is any impediment to the issuance of Trails Act authority in the
unusual circumstances of this case. Comments were originally due on
January 29, 1996. At the request of the Environmental and Natural
Resources Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ),
acting on behalf of the Departments of Interior and Agriculture, the
Board extended the comment period for 45 days to March 14, 1996.
DOJ now requests an additional 6 month period within which to file
its comments in order to conduct a natural resource damages assessment.
Further, DOJ states that the assessment must consider not only the
environmental but also the potential human health effects of bringing
recreators into the area. DOJ states that the Coeur d'Alene Tribe
supports the extension and that the Union Pacific Railroad Company will
not oppose it. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy opposes any extension.
While the Board supports the pursuit of negotiated resolutions, the
Board does not favor granting lengthy extensions of time in established
procedural schedules, especially where, as here, a prior extension has
been granted. The Board will grant a 2 month extension of the comment
period until May 14, 1996. DOJ is directed to report to the Board by
May 1, 1996 on the status of its efforts to negotiate settlement of
certain issues.
DATES: The report is due by May 1, 1996 and comments are due by May 14,
1996.
ADDRESSES: An original and 10 copies of the report and all comments,
referring to Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 70), should be filed with the
Office of the Secretary, Case Control Branch, Surface Transportation
Board, 1201 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20423. In
addition, a copy of the report and all comments must be served on all
parties of record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 927-5660.
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through TDD at (202)
927-5721.]
Decided: March 14, 1996.
By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-6828 Filed 3-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
