[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43578-43579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21553]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 113)]
Union Pacific Railroad Company--Discontinuance of Trackage Rights
and Abandonment--In Natrona and Converse Counties, WY
On July 25, 1997, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed with
the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, an application
for permission for the abandonment of and discontinuance of service on
a line of railroad known as the Casper Branch extending from railroad
milepost 590.0 to the end of the line at milepost 607.8, near Casper
(Air Base), a distance of 17.8 miles, in Natrona County, WY, and for
discontinuance of UP's trackage rights over The Burlington Northern and
Santa Fe Railway Company trackage from UP milepost 532.5 near Orin to
UP milepost 600.0 near Casper, a distance of 67.5 miles in Natrona and
Converse Counties, Wyoming. The line includes the non-agency stations
of Strouds at milepost 595.0, Casper at milepost 599.7, and Air Base at
milepost 607.5 and traverses through United States Postal Service ZIP
Codes 82601-82609 and 82633.
The line does contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available
promptly to those requesting it. The applicant's entire case for
abandonment and discontinuance was filed with the application.
This line of railroad has appeared on the applicant's system
diagram map or has been included in its narrative in category 1 since
August 1, 1992.
The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the
conditions in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360 I.C.C.
91 (1979).
Any interested person may file with the Surface Transportation
Board written comments concerning the proposed abandonment and
discontinuance or protests (including the protestant's entire
opposition case), by September 8, 1997. All interested persons should
be aware that following any 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
U.S.C. 10905 (Sec. 1152.28 of the Board's rules) and any request for a
trail use condition under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) (Sec. 1152.29 of the
Board's rules) must be filed by September 8, 1997. Persons who may
[[Page 43579]]
oppose the abandonment or discontinuance but who do not wish to
participate fully in the process by appearing at any oral hearings or
by submitting verified statements of witnesses containing detailed
evidence should file comments. Persons interested only in seeking
public use or trail use conditions should also file comments. Persons
opposing the proposed abandonment or discontinuance that do wish to
participate actively and fully in the process should file a protest.
In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide:
(i) An offer of financial assistance, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904
(due 120 days after the application is filed or 10 days after the
application is granted by the Board, whichever occurs sooner);
(ii) Recommended provisions for protection of the interests of
employees;
(iii) A request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905;
and
(iv) A statement pertaining to prospective use of the right-of-way
for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and
Sec. 1152.29.
Parties seeking information concerning the filing of protests
should refer to Sec. 1152.25.
Written comments and protests, including all requests for public
use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation
STB No. AB-33 (Sub-No.113) and should be filed with the Secretary,
Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, no later than
September 8, 1997. Interested persons may file a written comment or
protest with the Board to become a party to this proceeding. A copy of
each written comment or protest shall be served upon the representative
of the applicant, Joseph D. Anthofer, General Attorney, 1416 Dodge
Street, Omaha, NE 68179, Tel: (402) 271-4315. The original and 10
copies of all comments or protests shall be filed with the Board with a
certificate of service. Except as otherwise set forth in part 1152,
every document filed with the Board must be served on all parties to
the proceeding. 49 CFR 1104.12(a).
The line sought to be abandoned/discontinued will be available for
subsidy or sale for continued rail use, if the Board decides to permit
the abandonment/discontinuance, in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations (49 U.S.C. 10904 and 49 CFR 1152.27). No subsidy
arrangement approved under 49 U.S.C. 10904 shall remain in effect for
more than 1 year unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties (49
U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). Applicant will promptly provide upon request to
each interested party an estimate of the subsidy and minimum purchase
price required to keep the line in operation. The carrier's
representative to whom inquiries may be made concerning sale or subsidy
terms is set forth above.
Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment
procedures may contact the Surface Transportation Board 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.
An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by the Section of Environmental Analysis
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 the
Section of Environmental Analysis. EAs in abandonment proceedings
normally will be made available within 33 days of the filing of the
application. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will
generally be within 30 days of its service. The comments received will
be addressed in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be
issued where appropriate.
Decided: August 8, 1997.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-21553 Filed 8-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
