E7-9002. Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis-Discontinuance of Service Exemption-in Grant County, IN

On April 23, 2007, Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis (CERA) 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 discontinue service over a 2.36-mile line of railroad between milepost TS-154.65, near Marion, and milepost TS-157.01, near West Marion Belt, in Grant County, IN.^[1] The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 46952 and 46953, and does not include any stations.

The line does not contain Federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in CERA'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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by August 10, 2007.

Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) to subsidize continued rail service 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 $1,300 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).^[2]

All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-511 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. Gitomer, Esq., 600 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204. Replies to the petition are due on or before May 31, 2007.

Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at [phone] or refer to the full abandonment and discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis at [phone]. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]

Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings.

Decided: May 4, 2007.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  CERA operates the line under trackage rights granted to it by Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

2.  Because this is a discontinuance of service proceeding and not an abandonment, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are not appropriate. Similarly, no environmental or historic documentation is required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c)(2) and 1105.8(e).