[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 9334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4034]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-364 (Sub-No. 15X)]


Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc.--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Kent and Ottawa Counties, MI

    On February 11, 2009, Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc. (MMRR) filed with 
the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to discontinue service over a 6.94-mile 
line of railroad between milepost 159.5 at Grand Rapids (Walker) and 
milepost 166.44 at Marne, in Kent and Ottawa Counties, MI.\1\ The line 
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 49404, 49435, and 
49544, and includes the stations of Grand Rapids and Marne.
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    \1\ As part of a corporate family transaction, Grand Rapids 
Eastern Railroad, Inc. (GRE) was merged into MMRR in 1999. See 
RailTex, Inc., Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc., Michigan Shore Railroad, 
Inc., and Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, Inc.--Corporate Family 
Transaction, STB Finance Docket No. 33693 (STB served Jan. 20, 
1999). GRE had leased the line from the Coopersville and Marne 
Railway Company Line (C&M) in 1997. See Grand Rapids Eastern 
Railroad, Inc.--Lease and Operation Exemption--Coopersville and 
Marne Railway Company Line, STB Finance Docket No. 33344 (STB served 
Feb. 10, 1997). C&M had acquired the line from the Central Michigan 
Railway Company in 1996. See Coopersville & Marne Railway Company--
Acquisition and Operation Exemption--Central Michigan Railway 
Company, STB Finance Docket No. 32942 (STB served May 21, 1996).
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    MMRR states that the line does not contain federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in MMRR'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 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 June 1, 2009.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) for subsidy 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 $1,500 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).\2\
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    \2\ Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an 
abandonment, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are 
not appropriate. Similarly, no environmental or historic 
documentation is required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c)(2) and 1105.8.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-364 (Sub-No. 15X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, 600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204. Replies to 
the petition are due on or before March 23, 2009.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment and 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) 245-0305. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: February 20, 2009.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
 [FR Doc. E9-4034 Filed 3-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P