[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 116 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37598-37599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15049]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-564]


Camas Prairie RailNet, Inc.--Abandonment--In Lewis, Nez Perce, 
and Idaho Counties, ID (Between Spalding and Grangeville, ID)

    On May 26, 2000, Camas Prairie RailNet, Inc. (CSPR) filed with the 
Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, an application for 
permission for the abandonment of a line of railroad known as the 2nd 
Subdivision or Grangeville Line extending from railroad milepost 0.00 
near Spalding, ID, to railroad milepost 66.8 (end of track) near 
Grangeville, ID, a distance of 66.8 miles, in Lewis, Nez Perce, and 
Idaho Counties, ID. The line includes the stations of Lapwai (MP 3.3), 
Sweetwater (MP 5.3), Culdesac (MP 12.1), Nucrag (MP 19.5), Ruebens (MP 
26.1), Craigmont (MP 34.3), Ferdinand (MP 42.3), Cottonwood (MP 51.0), 
Fenn (MP 59.5), and Grangeville (MP 66.8), and traverses United States 
Postal Service ZIP Codes 83501, 83522, 83523, 83524, 83526, 83530, 
83531, 83548, and 83640.
    The line contains federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it. The applicant's entire case for 
abandonment (case-in-chief) was filed with the application.
    This line of railroad has been included in the railroad's system 
diagram map or has been included in its narrative in category 1 since 
December 28, 1999.\1\
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    \1\ Applicant inadvertently neglected to furnish a copy of its 
system diagram map (SDM) or narrative to the Idaho Transportation 
Department on December 28, 1999. Applicant corrected this omission 
by faxing and mailing a copy to that agency on January 27, 2000, 120 
days before filing its abandonment application. The SDM or narrative 
contained a de minimis mistake indicating that the line terminates 
at milepost 66.5 rather than at the end of the track at milepost 
66.8.
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    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by conditions 
imposed in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 
(1979).
    Any interested person may file with the Surface Transportation 
Board written comments concerning the proposed abandonment or protests 
(including the protestant's entire opposition case), by July 10, 2000. 
All interested persons should be aware that following any 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 U.S.C. 10905 (Sec. 1152.28 of the Board's rules) 
and any request for a trail use condition under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) 
(Sec. 1152.29 of the Board's rules) must also be filed by July 10, 
2000. The due date for applicant's reply to protests and its response 
to trail use requests is July 25, 2000. Persons who may oppose the 
abandonment or discontinuance but who do not wish to participate fully 
in the process by submitting verified statements of witnesses, 
containing detailed evidence, should file comments. Persons interested 
only in seeking public use or trail use conditions should also file 
comments. Persons opposing the proposed abandonment who wish to 
participate actively and fully in the process should file a protest.\2\
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    \2\ By decision served June 9, 2000, requests for oral hearing 
in this proceeding were denied. The abandonment application will 
therefore be decided based upon written presentations.

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[[Page 37599]]

    In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide:
    (i) An offer of financial assistance pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904 
(due 120 days after the application is filed or 10 days after the 
application is granted by the Board, whichever occurs sooner);
    (ii) Recommended provisions for protection of the interests of 
employees;
    (iii) A request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905; 
and
    (iv) A statement pertaining to prospective use of the right-of-way 
for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and 
Sec. 1152.29.
    Parties seeking information concerning the filing of protests 
should refer to Sec. 1152.25.
    Written comments and protests, including all requests for public 
use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation 
STB Docket No. AB-564 and should be filed with the Secretary, Surface 
Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, no later than July 10, 
2000. Interested persons may file a written comment or protest with the 
Board to become a party to this abandonment proceeding. A copy of each 
written comment or protest shall be served upon the representative of 
the applicant, John D. Heffner, Rea, Cross & Auchincloss, 1707 L 
Street, NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036, telephone: 202-785-3700. 
The original and 10 copies of all comments or protests shall be filed 
with the Board with a certificate of service. Except as otherwise set 
forth in part 1152, each document filed with the Board must be served 
on all parties to the abandonment proceeding. 49 CFR 1104.12(a). The 
line sought to be abandoned will be available for subsidy or sale for 
continued rail service, if the Board decides to permit the abandonment, 
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 10904 and 
49 CFR 1152.27). No subsidy arrangement approved under 49 U.S.C. 10904 
shall remain in effect for more than 1 year unless otherwise mutually 
agreed by the parties (49 U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). Applicant will 
promptly provide upon request to each interested party an estimate of 
the subsidy and minimum purchase price required to keep the line in 
operation. The carrier's representative to whom inquiries may be made 
concerning sale or subsidy terms is John D. Heffner, 1707 L Street, NW, 
Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Surface Transportation Board 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.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by the Section of Environmental Analysis 
will be served upon all parties of record and upon any agencies or 
other persons who commented during its preparation. Any other persons 
who would like to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS) may contact the 
Section of Environmental Analysis. EAs in abandonment proceedings 
normally will be made available within 33 days of the filing of the 
application. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will 
generally be within 30 days of its service. The comments received will 
be addressed in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be 
issued where appropriate.

    Decided: June 9, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-15049 Filed 6-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P