[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 219 (Monday, November 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 67795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28987]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket Nos. AB-33 (Sub-No. 158X) and AB-406 (Sub-No. 12X]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
McPherson, Ellsworth and Rice Counties, KS and Central Kansas Railway 
Limited Liability Company--Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in 
McPherson, Ellsworth and Rice Counties, KS

    On October 24, 2000, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and 
Central Kansas Railway Limited Liability Company (CKR) jointly 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 for 
UP to abandon and for CKR to discontinue service over a rail line: (1) 
Between milepost 523.02, near Geneseo and milepost 495.80, near 
Lindsborg; and (2) between milepost 531.40 and milepost 530.60, near 
Lindsborg, a total distance of 28.02 miles in McPherson, Ellsworth and 
Rice Counties, KS. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 
67444, 67456, and 67464, and includes the non-agency stations of 
Lindsborg (mileposts 495.80 and 531.0), Marquette (milepost 505.60), 
Crawford (milepost 518.20), and Geneseo (milepost 524.50).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in petitioners' 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 9, 2001.
    Any offer of financial assistance (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 offer 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 December 4, 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-33 (Sub-No. 158X) and STB Docket No. AB-406 (Sub-No. 12X) and must 
be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, Office of the Secretary, 
Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; (2) 
James P. Gatlin, 1416 Dodge Street #830, Omaha, NE 68179; and (3) Karl 
Morell, 1455 F St., NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to 
the petition are due on or before December 4, 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.''

    Decided: November 6, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-28987 Filed 11-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P