[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 7682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02835]



[[Page 7682]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 314 (Sub-No. 7X)]


Chicago Central & Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment 
Exemption--in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and Douglas County, Neb

    On January 22, 2015, Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad Company 
(CC&P) 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 to abandon approximately 2.56 miles of interconnected track 
across and adjacent to the Missouri River in Iowa and Nebraska (the 
Line). The Line consists of: (1) Approximately 2.12 miles of rail line 
extending from milepost 510.62 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, 
Iowa, across the Missouri River to milepost 514.80 near North 25th 
Street E in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb.\1\ and (2) the south leg of its 
wye track at Council Bluffs, extending from milepost 511.7 on CC&P's 
main line near Avenue K to the connection with the first line segment 
at North 16th Street, an additional distance of approximately 0.44 
miles. The Line includes the station of Council Bluffs (which will 
remain open) and traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 51501 
and 68110.
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    \1\ According to CC&P, the Line includes a milepost equation 
(adjustment), which accounts for what might otherwise be perceived 
as a mileage discrepancy based on calculations applying the terminal 
milepost numbers.
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    According to CC&P, the Line has not been used for the provision of 
rail common carrier service for over 20 years and there are no shippers 
located on the Line. Overhead traffic is handled via a switching 
arrangement with the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). CC&P states 
that in the unlikely event that the switching arrangement were to 
terminate, CC&P expects that it would continue to be able to serve 
customers in Omaha under an interline arrangement with UP or another 
carrier. CC&P further states that it seeks to abandon the Line 
primarily to facilitate the formal closure and removal of the Missouri 
River Bridge. Due to many years of bridge inactivity and the absence of 
shippers along the Line, the U.S. Coast Guard has deemed the bridge to 
be a navigation hazard and has demanded that it be removed.
    According to CC&P, the Line does not contain federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in CC&P'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 Railroad--Abandonment Portion 
Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, In Bingham & Bonneville Counties, 
Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by May 12, 2015.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due by May 22, 2015, or 10 days after service of a decision 
granting the petition for exemption, whichever occurs first. Each OFA 
must be accompanied by a $1,600 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment, 
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 
March 3, 2015. Each trail request must be accompanied by a $250 filing 
fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
314 (Sub-No. 7X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Robert A. Wimbish, 
Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 920, Chicago, IL 
60606-2832. Replies to the petition are due on or before March 3, 2015.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning 
environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Office of 
Environmental Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0305. Assistance for the 
hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by OEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any other agencies or persons who comment during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in 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 generally will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: February 6, 2015.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2015-02835 Filed 2-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P