01-21331. Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company-Abandonment Exemption-in Wilkin and Otter Tail Counties, MN

On August 3, 2001, Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company (OTVR) 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 abandon a 2.65-mile line of railroad known as the Foxhome branch, extending between milepost 58.8 near French, MN, and milepost 61.45 near Foxhome, MN (the end of the line), in Wilkin and Otter Tail Counties, MN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 56537 and 56543, and includes the station of Foxhome.

The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in OTVR'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 issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by November 21, 2001.

Any offer of financial assistance (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 offer must be accompanied by a $1,000 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 or for trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than September 12, 2001. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).

All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-330 (Sub-No. 3X) 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) Louis E. Gitomer, 1455 F St., NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the petition are due on or before September 12, 2001.

Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at [phone] 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 [phone]. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-877-8339.]

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. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will be made 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.

Board decisions and notices are available on our website at “WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.”

Decided: August 17, 2001.

By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of Proceedings.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.