[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 21425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9029]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 1043 (Sub-No. 2X)]


Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd.--Abandonment Exemption--
in Aroostook County, ME

    On March 28, 2011, Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd. (MMA) 
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 .4-mile rail line extending between milepost V 23.72 at 
Bridge Street and milepost V 24.12 at Main Street, in Van Buren, 
Aroostook County, Me. The line traverses United States Postal Service 
Zip Code 04785.
    In addition to an exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903, 
MMA seeks exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 (offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) procedures) and 49 U.S.C. 10905 (public use conditions). MMA also 
seeks relief from the trail use provisions of the Board's regulations 
at 49 CFR 1152.29. In support, MMA states that, upon receipt of 
abandonment authority, it plans to sell the .4-mile rail line and its 
transloading yard to the United States General Services Administration 
(GSA). In turn, GSA plans to use the property, together with other 
property that GSA has acquired, to construct a new land port of entry 
facility for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. MMA also 
seeks expedited action in this proceeding. These requests will be 
addressed in the final decision.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in MMA'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 Railroad-Abandonment Portion 
Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, 
Idaho, 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 July 15, 2011.
    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 $1,500 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 May 5, 2011. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1043 (Sub-No. 2X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) James E. 
Howard, 1 Thompson Square, Suite 201, Charlestown, MA 02129. Replies to 
MMA's petition are due on or before May 5, 2011.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR pt. 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0305. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by OEA 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 OEA 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 Web site at 
``www.stb.dot.gov.''

    Decided: April 8, 2011.
    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-9029 Filed 4-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P