[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 48333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24406]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[Finance Docket No. 32760]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Control and Merger--Southern 
Pacific Transportation Company: Reno Mitigation Study, Preliminary 
Mitigation Plan

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, Transportation.

ACTION: Issuance of Preliminary Mitigation Plan (PMP), request for 
public comment, and notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board's (Board) Section of 
Environmental Analysis (SEA) will issue the Preliminary Mitigation Plan 
(PMP) for the Reno, NV Mitigation Study on September 15, 1997, for 
public review and comment. On August 12, 1996, in Decision No. 44, the 
Board approved the Union Pacific/Southern Pacific merger. As part of 
its approval, the Board directed SEA to conduct a mitigation study to 
develop additional tailored environmental mitigation measures (beyond 
those already imposed in Decision No. 44) to address unique local 
conditions in Reno and Washoe County regarding the potential 
environmental impacts of increased rail traffic. The preliminary 
results of this study and SEA's preliminary recommendations for 
additional environmental mitigation measures are reflected in the PMP. 
SEA encourages public comment on the PMP during the 30-day review 
period, which will end on October 15, 1997. SEA will distribute copies 
of the PMP to interested parties. In addition, copies of the PMP will 
be available at the Reno and Sparks branches of the Washoe County 
Public Library, or by request by calling (202) 565-1539.
    SEA will hold two public information meetings on October 9, 1997, 
to provide the public with further opportunity to comment on the PMP 
and receive additional information. SEA will consider all public 
comments and issue a Final Mitigation Plan (FMP) for public review and 
comment. Based on the PMP, FMP, and public comments, SEA will then make 
its final recommendations to the Board. The public information meetings 
will be held on October 9, 1997, at Reno City Hall, 490 South Center 
Street, Reno, NV. The afternoon meeting will include an informal open 
house from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., followed by a presentation and formal 
public meeting beginning at 2:30 p.m. The evening meeting will include 
an informal open house from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., and a formal public 
meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m.
    Public comments should be submitted in writing (one original plus 
10 copies), no later than October 15, 1997, to: Office of the 
Secretary, Case Control Unit, Finance Docket No. 32760, Surface 
Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. 
Mark the lower left hand corner of the envelope: Attention: Elaine K. 
Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental Analysis, Environmental 
Filing--Reno.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold McNulty, Section of 
Environmental Analysis, Room 500, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423, (202) 565-1539, TDD for the hearing 
impaired: (202) 565-1695.

    By the Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-24406 Filed 9-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P