[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 31 (Thursday, February 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 10157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03377]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36481]


Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District--Acquisition and 
Operation Exemption--North Coast Railroad Authority

    Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART), a Class III rail 
carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 
to acquire from North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) and operate 
approximately 87.65 miles of rail line (the Line), consisting of: (1) 
The line of railroad and right-of-way in fee between the Sonoma-
Mendocino County, Cal., border at NWP milepost 89 and Healdsburg, Cal., 
at NWP milepost 68.2; and (2) the freight rail operating easement 
between Healdsburg, at NWP milepost 68.2 and Lombard, Cal., at SP 
milepost 63.4.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The verified notice states that SMART owns the segment of 
the Line between Healdsburg and Lombard, subject to an easement for 
freight rail service over the segment, and that, through this 
verified notice, SMART will acquire the freight rail easement. See 
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Dist.--Acquis. Exemption--Nw. Pac. 
R.R. Auth., FD 34400 (STB served Mar. 10, 2004).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The verified notice states that SMART and NCRA have executed an 
agreement pursuant to which SMART will acquire the Line from NCRA, and 
that SMART will become the freight operator of the Line, using a 
noncarrier contract operator.
    SMART certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of 
this transaction will not exceed $5 million or the threshold required 
to qualify as a Class III carrier. SMART also certifies that the 
proposed acquisition and operation of the Line does not involve a 
provision or agreement that may limit future interchange with a third-
party connecting carrier.
    The transaction may be consummated on or after March 4, 2021, the 
effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice was 
filed).
    If the notice contains false or misleading information, the 
exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to 
revoke will not automatically stay the transaction. Petitions for stay 
must be filed no later than February 25, 2021 (at least seven days 
before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36481, should be filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board via e-filing on the Board's 
website. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on SMART's 
representative, Kevin M. Sheys, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Columbia Square, 
555 Thirteenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20004.
    According to SMART, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic 
preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: February 12, 2021.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2021-03377 Filed 2-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P