[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 12883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6741]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. AB-433X]


Idaho Northern & Pacific Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption 
in Wallowa and Union Counties, OR

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board--DOT.

ACTION: Notice of exemption.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109 Stat. 
803 (the ICCTA), which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and took 
effect on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission 
(ICC) and transferred certain functions and proceedings to the Surface 
Transportation Board (Board). Section 204(b)(1) of the ICCTA provides, 
in general, that proceedings pending before the ICC on the effective 
date of that legislation shall be decided under the law in effect prior 
to January 1, 1996, insofar as they involve functions retained by the 
ICCTA. This decision relates to a proceeding that was pending with the 
ICC prior to January 1, 1996, and to functions that are subject to 
Board jurisdiction pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10903. Therefore, this 
decision applies the law in effect prior to the ICCTA, and citations 
are to the former sections of the statute, unless otherwise indicated. 
The Board, under 49 U.S.C. 10505 exempts from the prior approval 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903-04, the abandonment by Idaho Northern & 
Pacific Railroad Company of a 60.58-mile portion of its Joseph Branch 
line, in Wallowa and Union Counties, OR, subject to standard labor 
protective conditions and environmental conditions.

DATES: Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of 
financial assistance (OFA) has been received, this exemption will be 
effective April 17, 1997. Formal expressions of intent to file an OFA 
under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2) must be filed by March 28, 1997; petitions 
to stay must be filed April 2, 1997; requests for a public use 
condition in conformity with 49 CFR 1152.28(a)(2) must be filed by 
April 7, 1997; and petitions to reopen must be filed by April 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: An original and 10 copies of all pleadings referring to 
Docket No. AB-433X must be filed with: Surface Transportation Board, 
Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of all pleadings must be 
served on petitioner's representative: Robert A. Wimbish, 1920 N 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 565-1600. [TDD for 
the hearing impared: (202) 565-1695.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information is contained in the 
Board's decision. To purchase a copy of the full decision, write to, 
call or pick up in person from: DC News & Data, Inc., 1925 K Street, 
NW., Suite 210, Washington, DC 20006 [Telephone: (202) 289-4357]. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through TDD services 
(202) 565-1695.]

    Decided: March 12, 1997.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice Chairman Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-6741 Filed 3-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P