Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Transportation

###### Surface Transportation Board 

          - [STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 55X)] 

On October 21, 2004, Soo Line Railroad Company (Soo Line) filed with the Surface Transportation Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 5-mile line of railroad known as the West Allis Line, extending from milepost 88.2 +/− near the State Highway 41 crossing in Milwaukee to milepost 93.2 +/− near North 123rd Street in Wauwatosa, in Milwaukee County, WI. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 53215, 53295, 53214, and 53226. 

The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in Soo Line'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 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 February 8, 2005. 

                    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption.                     *See*49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2). Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,200 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 November 30, 2004. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee.                     *See*49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).                 

All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 55X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Annie Littlefield, 150 South 5th Street, Suite 2300, Minneapolis, MN 55402. Replies to the Soo Line petition are due on or before November 30, 2004. 

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) 565-1539. [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 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 after 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                     *http://www.stb.dot.gov*.                 

Decided: November 3, 2004. 

By the Board, David M. Director, Office of Proceedings. 

Vernon A. Williams, 

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 04-25053 Filed 11-9-04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915-01-P