[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44031-44032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21824]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-497 (Sub-No. 2X)]


Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--Between 
Redland Junction and Fertile, in Polk County, MN

    On July 29, 1997, Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc. (MNN) 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 line of railroad known as the Redland Junction-Fertile Line, 
extending from milepost 65.7 near Redland Junction, MN, to milepost 
45.1 near Fertile, MN, which traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 
56540 and 56716, a distance of 20.6 miles in Polk County, MN. The line 
includes the station of Fertile at milepost 45.1.
    The line contains one parcel of federally granted rights-of-way. 
Any documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it. The interest of railroad employees 
will be protected by Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360 
I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by November 14, 1997.
    Any offer of financial assistance 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 offer of financial assistance must be 
accompanied by the filing fee, which currently is set at $900. 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 September 8, 1997. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-497

[[Page 44032]]

(Sub-No. 2X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Gary Laakso, Minnesota Northern 
Railroad, Inc., 301 Yamato Road, Suite 1190, Boca Raton, FL 33431.
    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) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at (202) 
565-1695.]
    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 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.

    Decided: August 8, 1997.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-21824 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P