94-7114. Tongue River Railroad Co.; Construction and Operation of Additional Rail Line in Rosebud and Big Horn Counties, MT

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7114]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]


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INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION
[Finance Docket No. 30186 (Sub No. 2)]

 

Tongue River Railroad Co.; Construction and Operation of 
Additional Rail Line in Rosebud and Big Horn Counties, MT

    In the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) served July 17, 
1992, the Commission's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) 
addressed the Tongue River Railroad Company's (TRRC's) proposal to 
construct and operate a 41-mile rail line from Ashland to Decker, 
Montana (the Extension). The proposed rail line would serve as an 
extension to TRRC's already-approved but not yet built 89-mile rail 
line from Miles City to Ashland, Montana.
    In the DEIS, SEA preliminarily concluded that because of the 
environmental impacts associated with TRRC's proposed route, the Four 
Mile Creek Alternative would be environmentally preferable should the 
Commission decide to grant TRRC's construction application. However, 
based on comments to the DEIS, SEA's further investigation, TRRC's 
alignment changes to the proposed route, and a more comprehensive 
Mitigation Plan, SEA now believes that the Four Mile Creek Alternative 
would have more adverse consequences on the environment than TRRC's 
current proposed route. Generally, when a substantial change is made to 
the approach a Federal agency has taken in a DEIS, the rules of the 
Council on Environmental Quality implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act require the preparation of a Supplement to the 
DEIS [40 CFR 1502.9(c)]. Because SEA no longer believes that the Four 
Mile Creek Alternative would be the environmentally preferable route if 
the Commission grants TRRC's application, SEA has prepared this 
Supplement to the DEIS (Supplement).
    The ``no build'' alternative has been carefully considered by SEA. 
This alternative would be environmentally neutral since construction 
and operation of the proposed Extension and the related environmental 
impacts would not occur. Because TRRC already has obtained Commission 
authority to construct and operate a rail line between Miles City and 
Ashland, TRRC would be able to serve new mines in the project area even 
if the Commission denied the proposed Extension. Moreover, with the 
``no build'' alternative, the present movement of coal from the Decker 
mines would be unaffected because the Burlington Northern Railroad is 
already providing service to these mines via an alternate route. In 
sum, the ``no build'' alternative would preserve the environmental 
status quo.
    SEA invites comments on the Supplement. SEA specifically requests 
comments on (1) the environmental preferability of TRRC's current 
proposed route versus the Four Mile Creek Alternative; (2) the ``no 
build'' alternative; and (3) any other feasible alternatives. These 
comments should provide as much substantive information and supporting 
evidence as possible.
    SEA will consider all comments to this Supplement and the prior 
comments to the DEIS before issuing a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS). The FEIS will take into account all the comments 
received during the entire environmental review process and include 
SEA's final environmental recommendations to the Commission. The 
Commission will then consider the FEIS and the entire environmental 
record in making its decision in this proceeding.
    Send an original and 10 copies of comments referring to Finance 
Docket No. 30186 (Sub No. 2) to: Dana White, Section of Environmental 
Analysis, room 3214, Interstate Commerce Commission, Washington, DC 
20423. Questions regarding this Supplement or requests for copies of 
the Supplement should be directed to Ms. White or Elaine K. Kaiser, 
Chief, Section of Environmental Analysis at [phone]. TDD for 
hearing impaired: [phone].
    Also, a copy of the comments should be sent to TRRC's 
representative: Mr. Thomas Ebzery, Village Center I, suite 165, 1500 
Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102.
    Date made available to the public: March 17, 1994.
    Comment due date: May 9, 1994.

    By the Commission, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of 
Environmental Analysis.
Sidney L. Strickland,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-7114 Filed 3-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7035-01-P