[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 229 (Friday, November 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63418-63419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31223]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-477 (Sub-No. 3X)]


Owensville Terminal Company, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Edwards and White Counties, IL and Gibson and Posey Counties, IN

    On November 7, 1997, Owensville Terminal Company, Inc. (OTC) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition <SUP>1</SUP> 
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 Browns-Poseyville 
line, between milepost 205.0 at or near Browns, IL, and milepost 227.5 
near Poseyville, IN, a distance of 22.5 miles in Edwards and White 
Counties, IL, and Gibson and Posey Counties, IN. The line traverses 
U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 62818, 62844, 47616, and 47633. The line 
includes the stations of Browns, milepost 205.0; Grayville, milepost 
213.5; Griffin, milepost 219.9; and Stewartsville, milepost 225.4.
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    \1\ This petition is a refiling of OTC's April 15, 1997 
submission in STB Docket No. AB-477 (Sub-No. 1X). On August 1, 1997, 
the Board denied the petition without prejudice to OTC's filing an 
abandonment application. OTC did not adhere to the Board's directive 
in the August 1 decision in filing this petition for exemption. 
Consequently, although the Board is publishing notice of the filing 
of the instant petition based on representations made therein, OTC 
is advised that the petition may be rejected if opposition is 
received.
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    The line does not contain 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 the conditions set forth in 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 February 25, 1998.
    Any offer of financial assistance under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will 
be due

[[Page 63419]]

no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition 
for exemption. Each offer of financial assistance must be accompanied 
by a $900 filing fee. 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 December 18, 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-477 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Thomas F. McFarland, Jr., McFarland 
& Herman, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330, Chicago, IL 60606-2902.
    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: November 21, 1997.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-31223 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P