38878 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 138 / Monday, July 20, 1998 / Notices

1RFRHA seeks exemptions from the offer of

financial assistance (OFA) provisions of 49 U.S.C.

10904 and the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C.

10905. These exemption requests will be addressed

in the final decision.

vehicles: 1995 Jeep Wrangler

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

18249 (April 14, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–255

11. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3710

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1993 Jeep

Cherokee manufactured for Middle

Eastern and other foreign markets

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1995 Jeep Cherokee

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

18248 (April 14, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–254

12. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3715

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1981–1988

Toyota Landcruiser

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1981–1988 Toyota

Landcruiser

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

18489 (April 15, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–252

13. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3716

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1995–1998

Ford Windstar

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1995–1998 Ford Windstar

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

18491 (April 15, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–250

14. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3717

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1990

Volkswagen Transporter

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1990 Volkswagen Vanagon

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

18490 (April 15, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–251

15. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3806

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1995 Ferrari

456

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1995 Ferrari 456

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

25895 (May 11, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–256

16. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3809

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1997–1998

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1997–1998 Mercedes-Benz

SLK

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27117 (May 15, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–257

17. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3811

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1990–1993

Bentley Continental R

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1990–1993 Bentley

Continental R

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27116 (May 16, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–258

18. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3822

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1996–1998

BMW Z3

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1996–1998 BMW Z3

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27343 (May 18, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–260

19. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3823

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1995 Ferrari

F355

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1995 Ferrari F355

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27344 (May 18, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–259

20. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3851

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1995

Mercedes-Benz C280

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1995 Mercedes-Benz C280

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27616 (May 19, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–262

21. Docket No. NHTSA–98–3852

Nonconforming Vehicles: 1997

Porsche Boxster

Substantially similar U.S.-certified

vehicles: 1997 Porsche Boxster

Notice of Petition published at: 63 FR

27617 (May 19, 1998)

Vehicle Eligibility Number: VSP–261

[FR Doc. 98–19251 Filed 7–17–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub–No. 1)]

Railroad Cost of Capital—1997

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of decision.

SUMMARY: On July 20, 1998, the Board

served a decision to update its estimate

of the railroad industry’s cost of capital

for 1997. The composite cost of capital

rate for 1997 is found to be 11.8%,

based on a current cost of debt of 7.2%;

a cost of common equity capital of

13.8%; a cost of preferred equity capital

of 6.1%; and a 29.67% debt, 70.28%

common equity, 0.05% preferred equity

capital structure mix. The cost of capital

finding made in this proceeding will be

used in a variety of Board proceedings.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This action is effective

July 9, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Leonard J. Blistein, (202) 565–1529.

[TDD for the hearing impaired: (202)

565–1695.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The cost

of capital finding in this decision shall

be used to evaluate the adequacy of

railroad revenues for 1997 under the

standards and procedures promulgated

in Standards for Railroad Revenue

Adequacy, 3 I.C.C.2d 261 (1986). This

finding may also be used in other Board

proceedings involving, for example, the

prescription of maximum reasonable

rate levels and proposed abandonments

of rail lines. Additional information is

contained in the Board’s decision. To

obtain a copy of the full decision, write

to, call, or pick up in person from: DC

NEWS & DATA, INC., Room 210, 1925

K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20423.

Telephone: (202) 289–4357. [Assistance

for the hearing impaired is available

through TDD services (202) 565–1695.]

The decision is also available on the

Board’s internet site at www.stb.dot.gov.

Environmental and Energy

Considerations

This action will not significantly

affect either the quality of the human

environment or the conservation of

energy resources.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), we

conclude that our action in this

proceeding will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities. The purpose

and effect of this action are to update

the annual railroad industry cost of

capital finding by the Board. No new

reporting or other regulatory

requirements are imposed, directly or

indirectly, on small entities.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 10704(a).

Decided: July 9, 1998.

By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice

Chairman Owen.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–19286 Filed 7–17–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915–00–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB–547X]

Roaring Fork Railroad Holding

Authority—Abandonment Exemption—

in Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin Counties,

CO

On June 30, 1998, Roaring Fork

Railroad Holding Authority (RFRHA)

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. 10903–10905 1 to

abandon its line of railroad known as

the Aspen Branch, extending from

milepost 360.22 near Glenwood Springs
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 138 / Monday, July 20, 1998 / Notices 38879

2 Included in its petition is a request by RFRHA

to railbank the line and a statement of its

willingness to assume full responsibility for the

management and use of the right-of-way and for the

payment of taxes and other liabilities. This request

by RFRHA to railbank its own line will be

addressed in the final decision.

1Pursuant to 49 CFR 1150.50(d)(2), the railroad

must file a verified notice with the Board at least

50 days before the abandonment or discontinuance

is to be consummated. The applicant in its verified

notice, indicated a proposed consummation date of

August 12, 1998. However, because the verified

notice was filed on June 30, 1998, consummation

may not take place prior to August 19, 1998.

Applicant’s representative has been contacted and

has confirmed that consummation will not take

place until August 19, 1998.

Juneau County (County) filed a request for

issuance of a notice of interim trail use (NITU) for

the entire line pursuant to section 8(d) of the

National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d). The

Board will address the County’s trail use request

and any others that may be filed in a subsequent

decision.

2The Board will grant a stay if an informed

decision on environmental issues (whether raised

by a party or by the Board’s Section of

Environmental Analysis in its independent

investigation) cannot be made before the

exemption’s effective date. See Exemption of Outof-Service Rail Lines, 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any

request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible

so that the Board may take appropriate action before

the exemption’s effective date.

3Each offer of financial assistance must be

accompanied by the filing fee, which currently is

set at $1000. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).

to the end of the line at milepost 393.66

near Woody Creek, a total distance of

approximately 33.44 miles in Garfield,

Eagle and Pitkin Counties, CO. The line

traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes

81601, 81602, 81621, 81623, 81628,

81654 and 81656. There are no stations

on the line.

The line contains federally granted

rights-of-way. Any documentation in

RFRHA’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 October 16,

1998.

Unless an exemption is granted from

the OFA provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904,

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. Unless

an exemption is granted from the public

use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905, 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 August 10, 1998.2

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–547X

and must be sent to: (1) Surface

Transportation Board, Office of the

Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K

Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20423–

0001; and (2) Charles H. Montange, 426

NW 162d Street, Seattle, WA 98177.

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 (202)

565–1695.]

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: July 14, 1998.

By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting

Director, Office of Proceedings.

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 98–19285 Filed 7–17–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915–00–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB–33 (Sub–No. 122X)]

Union Pacific Railroad Company—

Abandonment Exemption—in Monroe

and Juneau Counties, WI

Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP)

has filed a notice of exemption under 49

CFR Part 1152 Subpart F—Exempt

Abandonments and Discontinuances of

Service and Trackage Rights to abandon

and discontinue service over a 8.4-mile

line of railroad on the Camp Douglas

Industrial Lead from milepost 174.3

near Wyeville to the end of the line at

milepost 182.7 near Camp Douglas, in

Monroe and Juneau Counties, WI.1 The

line traverses United States Postal

Service Zip Codes 54660 and 54618.

UP has certified that: (1) No local

traffic has moved over the line for at

least 2 years; (2) any overhead traffic on

the line can be rerouted over other lines;

(3) no formal complaint filed by a user

of rail service on the line (or by a state

or local government entity acting on

behalf of such user) regarding cessation

of service over the line either is pending

with the Surface Transportation Board

(Board) or with any U.S. District Court

or has been decided in favor of

complainant within the 2-year period;

and (4) the requirements at 49 CFR

1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR

1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR

1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR

1105.12 (newspaper publication), and

49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to

governmental agencies) have been met.

As a condition to this exemption, any

employee adversely affected by the

abandonment shall be protected under

Oregon Short Line R. Co.—

Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91

(1979). To address whether this

condition adequately protects affected

employees, a petition for partial

revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d)

must be filed. Provided no formal

expression of intent to file an offer of

financial assistance (OFA) has been

received, this exemption will be

effective on August 19, 1998, unless

stayed pending reconsideration.

Petitions to stay that do not involve

environmental issues,2 formal

expressions of intent to file an OFA

under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2),3 and trail

use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR

1152.29 must be filed by July 30, 1998.

Petitions to reopen or requests for

public use conditions under 49 CFR

1152.28 must be filed by August 10,

1998, with: Surface Transportation

Board, Office of the Secretary, Case

Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W.,

Washington, DC 20423.

A copy of any petition filed with the

Board should be sent to applicant’s

representative: Joseph D. Anthofer,

General Attorney, Union Pacific

Railroad Company, 1416 Dodge Street,

Room 830, Omaha, NE 68179.

If the verified notice contains false or

misleading information, the exemption

is void ab initio.

UP has filed an environmental report

which addresses the effects of the