[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 236 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 76705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31230]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 33953]


County of Coahoma, MS--Acquisition Exemption--Line of Illinois 
Central Railroad Company

    The County of Coahoma, Mississippi (Coahoma), a noncarrier, has 
filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire 
approximately 32.46 miles of rail line known as the Swan Lake Line from 
Illinois Central Railroad Company (IC) extending between milepost L-
74.00 at Lyon, MS, and milepost L-79.00 at Clarksdale, MS, and between 
milepost 104.00 at Swan Lake, MS, to the connection with the Lyon-
Clarksdale line at Clarksdale near milepost 76.54. The line is 
currently operated by Mississippi Delta Railroad (MSD), an affiliate of 
Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. (G&O), a noncarrier.\1\ In addition, Coahoma 
will acquire approximately 1.39 miles of incidental trackage rights 
over IC's line from milepost 104.00 to the connection with IC's main 
line at milepost 105.39 so that the operator of the Swan Lake Line can 
reach IC's main line and conduct interchange at Swan Lake. Coahoma 
certifies that its annual revenues will not exceed those that would 
qualify it as a Class III rail carrier and that its annual revenues are 
not projected to exceed $5 million.
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    \1\ See Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc.--Exemption Form 49 U.S.C. 
11301, 10901 and 11322, Finance Docket No. 30683 (ICC served Nov. 6, 
1985), wherein G&O leased a line of railroad from IC.
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    The transaction was expected to be consummated on or shortly after 
November 16, 2000.
    Coahoma states that, following consummation of this transaction, 
MSD is expected to continue operations until July 1, 2001. Coahoma 
further states that, if MSD should discontinue operations, it would be 
replaced by another rail operator, and that it is also possible that 
MSD and Coahoma could reach an agreement under which MSD would continue 
to operate the line after July 1, 2001. According to Coahoma, it will 
seek the Board's approval for any authority needed in connection with 
MSD's discontinuance of operations or a replacement operator's 
commencement of operations.\2\
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    \2\ MSD operates a contiguous rial line owned by G&O from 
milepost 55.40 at Lulu, MS, to milespost 74.00 at Lyon, MS, which 
connects to the Swan Lake Line. See Finance Docket No. 30683. G&O 
and Coahoma are currently negotiating the potential sale of this 
rail line.
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    If the notice contains false or misleading information, the 
exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to 
revoke will not automatically stay the transaction.
    An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to STB 
Finance Docket No. 33953, must be filed with the Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be 
served on William C. Sippel, Esq., Fletcher & Sippel LLC, Two 
Prudential Plaza, Suite 3125, 180 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago, IL 
60601-6721.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: November 30, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-31230 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P