[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 16529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9175]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -
[Finance Docket No. 32760]
Union Pacific Corporation, Union Pacific Railroad Company and
Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Control and Merger--Southern Pacific
Rail Corporation, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, St. Louis
Southwestern Railway Company, SPCSL Corp. and the Denver and Rio Grande
Western Railroad Company
The Surface Transportation Board (Board)\1\ announces its release
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) that addresses potential
environmental impacts associated with the merger proposal filed by the
Union Pacific Railroad Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively,
``UP'') and the Southern Pacific Rail Corporation and its subsidiaries
(collectively, ``SP'') in Finance Docket No. 32760.
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\1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109
Stat. 803 (the Act), enacted December 29, 1995, and effective
January 1, 1996 abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission and
transferred certain rail proceedings to the Surface Transportation
Board (Board) if they involve functions retained by the Act. This
proceeding concerns a function, authorization of rail construction
under 49 U.S.C. 10901, that has been transferred to the Board.
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The EA was prepared by the Board's Section of Environmental
Analysis (SEA). In conducting its environmental review, SEA assessed
the potential environmental impacts which could result from three types
of merger-related actions:
Traffic changes on rail line segments, at rail yards and
at intermodal facilities.
Rail line segment abandonments.
Rail line construction on new rights-of-way.
Environmental impacts associated with these actions include safety,
transportation, air quality, noise, historic resources, biological
resources, water resources, and hazardous materials. Specifically, the
EA examined 72 rail line segments in 19 states, 26 rail yards in 10
states, 16 intermodal facilities in 8 states, 17 rail abandonments in 8
states, and 25 new rail line construction projects in 8 states.
Appropriate mitigation measures were developed to address particular
areas of environmental concern.
Based on its independent analysis, available information, and the
recommended mitigation, SEA concludes that the proposed merger and
related abandonments and construction activities would not result in
significant environmental impacts. Therefore, the environmental impact
statement process is not necessary.
The public has until May 3, 1996 to submit comments on the EA to
SEA. SEA invites the public to include in its comments specific and
reasonable mitigation measures to address areas of environmental
concern. These written comments (an original and 10 copies) should be
addressed to: Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental
Analysis, Room 3219, Surface Transportation Board, 1201 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001, Attn: FD-32760.
Copies of the EA have been served on all parties of record and
appropriate federal, state, and local agencies. To obtain copies of the
EA, please contact Harold McNulty at SEA's toll-free Environmental
Hotline: 1-800-448-7246. Assistance for the hearing impaired is
available through TDD services (202) 927-5721.
Date made available to the public: April 12, 1996.
By the Surface Transportation Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief,
Section of Environmental Analysis, Office of Economic and
Environmental Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-9175 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
