[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 195 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59892-59893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25247]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-303 (Sub-No. 25X)]


Wisconsin Central Ltd.--Abandonment Exemption--In Langlade, 
Menominee and Shawano Counties, WI

    On September 19, 2000, Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) 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. 10903-05 \1\ to abandon 
a line of railroad known as the White Lake-Shawano Line, between 
milepost 280 north of White Lake and milepost 314.3 north of Shawano, 
in Langlade, Menominee, and Shawano Counties, WI, a distance of 34.3 
miles. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 54491, 54150, 
54128, and 54166, and includes stations at White Lake (milepost 282.8), 
Neopit (milepost 296.8), Gresham (milepost 306.6), and Thornton 
(milepost 312.6).
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    \1\ WCL's petition states that it seeks exemption from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903-05, thus evidently including exemption 
from the offer of financial assistance (OFA) requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 10904 and the public use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905. WCL 
has not submitted evidence to establish that the proposed exemptions 
from sections 10904 and 10905 meet the criteria of 49 U.S.C. 10502. 
Therefore, its request as to those two provisions will not be 
considered.
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    The line does contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in WCL'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 January 5, 2001.
    Any OFA 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 OFA must be accompanied by a $1,000 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 October 26, 2000. 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-303 (Sub-No. 25X) 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) Michael J. Barron, Jr., P.O. Box 
5062, Rosemont, IL 60017-5062. Replies to the WCL petition are due on 
or before October 26, 2000.
    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 1-800-
877-8339.]
    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 made 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.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''


[[Page 59893]]


    Decided: September 26, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-25247 Filed 10-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P