97-17149. Land Conservancy of Seattle and King CountyAbandonment Exemptionin King County, WA  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 35540-35541]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-17149]
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Surface Transportation Board
    [STB Docket No. AB-508X]
    
    
    Land Conservancy of Seattle and King County--Abandonment 
    Exemption--in King County, WA
    
        On June 11, 1997, The Land Conservancy of Seattle and King County 
    (TLC) 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. 
    10903-05 1 to abandon a line of railroad known as the 
    Sammamish or Issaquah Branch, extending from milepost 7.30 near Redmond 
    to the end of the line at milepost 19.75 in Issaquah, which traverses 
    U.S. Postal Service ZIP Codes 98027, 98029, 98052 and 98053, a distance 
    of 12.45 miles, in King County, WA. TLC has indicated that there are no 
    stations on the line.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \1\ TLC seeks exemptions from the offer of financial assistance 
    (OFA) requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use 
    requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905. Exemptions from 49 U.S.C. 10904-05 
    have been granted from time to time, but only when the right-of-way 
    is needed for a valid public purpose and there is no overriding 
    public need for continued rail service.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        TLC states that the line contains approximately 1 mile of federally 
    granted right-of-way. Any documentation in TLC's possession will be 
    made available promptly to those requesting it.
        In this proceeding, TLC is proposing to abandon a line that 
    constitutes its entire rail system. In 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, under 
    Board policy no labor protective conditions would be imposed.
    
    [[Page 35541]]
    
        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 September 29, 1997.
        Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the OFA provisions 
    of 49 U.S.C. 10904, any 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 OFA must be accompanied by a $900 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 and any request for trail use/rail 
    banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than July 21, 1997. 
    Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 
    CFR 1002.2(f)(27).2
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        \2\ TLC submits, as Exhibit A to its petition, a trail use 
    request executed by King County Department of Parks and Recreation 
    (King County Parks). Because King County Parks is a state government 
    entity, the filing fee is waived. 49 CFR 1002.2(e)(1).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
    AB-508X 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) Charles H. Montange, 426 NW 162d Street, Seattle, 
    WA 98177.
        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 (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. Any other persons who would like to obtain a copy of the 
    EA (or EIS) may contact SEA. EAs in these abandonment proceedings 
    normally will be 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.
    
        Decided: June 23, 1997.
    
        By the Board, Vernon A. Williams, Secretary.
    Vernon A. Williams,
    Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 97-17149 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/01/1997
Department:
Surface Transportation Board
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
97-17149
Pages:
35540-35541 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
STB Docket No. AB-508X
PDF File:
97-17149.pdf