[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 160 (Friday, August 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42678-42679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20914]
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[[Page 42679]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board \1\
[Finance Docket No. 31989]
The Elk River Railroad, Inc.--Construction and Operation--in Clay
and Kanawha Counties, WV
The Elk River Railroad, Inc. (TERRI) applied to the Interstate
Commerce Commission (ICC), now the Surface Transportation Board
(Board), for authority to construct and operate a 29.8-mile rail line
from Hartland to Falling Rock, West Virginia. The ICC's Section of
Environmental Analysis (SEA) began the environmental analysis of this
proposal, considering the potential environmental impacts associated
with TERRI's preferred route, and a ``no build'' alternative. SEA
completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (served June 30,
1995).
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\1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. 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 Board's SEA has now completed the environmental review process,
and its conclusions are discussed in the Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS). SEA concludes that the proposed action would have
adverse noise and safety impacts due to the close proximity of a
substantial number of residences to the rail line. The proposed
mitigation measures would reduce, but not totally eliminate, these
impacts. There are, however, no feasible alternative rail routes by
which this traffic could move. Furthermore, overall environmental
impacts of the proposal may not be unduly severe if the recommended
mitigation is implemented, particularly when balanced against the
potential environmental benefits of reducing the increase in coal truck
traffic. Therefore, the Section of Environmental Analysis recommends
that the Board impose on any final decision approving the proposed
construction and operation the mitigation measures contained in the
FEIS.
Copies of the FEIS have been served on representative individuals
and agencies. For additional information about the FEIS, please
contact: Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental Analysis, or
Michael Dalton at (202) 927-6197.
Copies of the FEIS are available to all persons for a fee through
DC News and Data Inc. at (202) 289-4357 (assistance for the hearing
impaired is available through TDD services (202) 927-5721) or by pickup
from Room 2229, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423.
Because of limited resources, we are no longer able to make additional
copies available at no cost.
Date made available to the public: August 9, 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. 96-20914 Filed 8-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
