[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11820-11821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03932]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36354]


Arkansas Southern Railroad, L.L.C.--Lease Exemption With 
Interchange Commitment--The Kansas City Southern Railway Company

    Arkansas Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (ARS), a Class III railroad, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to amend and 
extend its leases from The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) 
of two lines of railroad: (1) Between milepost 4.0 near Heavener, 
Okla., and milepost 33.0 at Waldron, Ark.; and (2) between milepost 
32.0 at Ashdown, Ark., and milepost 0.0 at Nashville, Ark. (excluding 
the 601 track switch at Ashdown) (collectively, the Lines).
    According to ARS, it has operated the Lines since 2005 pursuant to 
lease agreements with KCS,\1\ and the parties entered into restated 
leases in 2016 (the Leases).\2\ The verified notice indicates that ARS 
and KCS executed amendments to the Leases on July 20, 2020 (the 
Amendments), extending the term of the Leases through November 30, 
2034, among other changes. ARS states that it intends for the 
Amendments to take effect on or shortly after the effective date of 
this exemption.
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    \1\ See Ark. S. R.R.--Lease Exemption--The Kan. City S. Ry., FD 
34760 (STB served Oct. 26, 2005).
    \2\ See Ark. S. R.R.--Lease Exemption Containing Interchange 
Commitment--The Kan. City. S. Ry., FD 36061 (STB served Oct. 7, 
2016).
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    ARS certifies that the Leases contain an interchange commitment.\3\ 
Accordingly, ARS has provided additional information regarding the 
interchange commitment, as required by 49 CFR 1150.43(h).
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    \3\ A copy of the Leases and the Amendments with the interchange 
commitment was submitted under seal. See 49 CFR 1150.43(h)(1).
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    ARS certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of 
this transaction will not exceed $5 million and will not result in the 
creation of a Class I or Class II rail carrier.
    The earliest this transaction may be consummation is March 14, 
2021, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified 
notice was filed).
    If the verified 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 effectiveness of the 
exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than March 5, 
2021.
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36354, 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 ARS's 
representative, Bradon J. Smith, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker 
Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.
    According to ARS, 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).

[[Page 11821]]

    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: February 22, 2021.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Eden Besera,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2021-03932 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P