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###### Department of Transportation

###### Surface Transportation Board 

          - [STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 261)] 

                    On February 27, 2009, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed with the Board an application for permission to abandon its Essex to Miner Line, extending from milepost 196.7, near Essex, to milepost 216.27, near Miner, a distance of 19.57 miles, in New Madrid, Scott, and Stoddard Counties, MO (the line).[1]                                          The line includes the stations of Hunterville (milepost 198.7), Morehouse (milepost 205.4), Sikeston (milepost 211.4), and Miner (milepost 214.5), and traverses United States Postal Service ZIP Codes 63846, 63801, and 63868.                 

The line does not contain Federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in UP's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it. UP's entire case for abandonment was filed with the application. 

This line of railroad has appeared on UP's system diagram map or has been included in its narrative in category 1 since January 16, 2008. 

                    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).                 

                    Any interested person may file with the Surface Transportation Board written comments concerning the proposed abandonment or protests (including the protestant's entire opposition case), by April 13, 2009. All interested persons should be aware that, following any abandonment of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905 (49 CFR 1152.28) and any request for a trail use condition under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) (49 CFR 1152.29) must be filed by April 13, 2009. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee.                     *See*49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27). Applicant's reply to any opposition statements and its response to trail use requests must be filed by April 28, 2009.                     *See*49 CFR 1152.26(a). A final decision will be issued by June 17, 2009.                 

Persons opposing the proposed abandonment who wish to participate actively and fully in the process should file a protest. Persons who may oppose the abandonment but who do not wish to participate fully in the process by submitting verified statements of witnesses containing detailed evidence should file comments. Persons seeking information concerning the filing of protests should refer to 49 CFR 1152.25. Persons interested only in seeking public use or trail use conditions should also file comments. 

In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide: (i) An offer of financial assistance (OFA) for continued rail service, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904 (due 120 days after the application is filed or 10 days after the application is granted by the Board, whichever occurs sooner); (ii) recommended provisions for protection of the interests of employees; (iii) a request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905; and (iv) a statement pertaining to prospective use of the right-of-way for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and 49 CFR 1152.29. 

Written comments and protests, including all requests for public use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 261) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Gabriel S. Meyer, Assistant General Attorney, 1400 Douglas Street, STOP 1580, Omaha, NE 68179. The original and 10 copies of all comments or protests shall be filed with the Board with a certificate of service. Except as otherwise set forth in 49 CFR 1152, every document filed with the Board must be served on all parties to the abandonment proceeding. 49 CFR 1104.12(a). 

                    The line sought to be abandoned will be available for subsidy or sale for continued rail use, if the Board decides to permit the abandonment, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 10904 and 49 CFR 1152.27). Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,500 filing fee.                     *See*49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). No subsidy arrangement approved under 49 U.S.C. 10904 shall remain in effect for more than 1 year unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties (49 U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). Applicant will promptly provide upon request to each interested party an estimate of the subsidy and minimum purchase price required to keep the line in operation. UP's representative to whom inquiries may be made concerning sale or subsidy terms is set forth above.                 

Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (866) 254-1792 or refer to the full abandonment regulations at 49 CFR 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 1-800-877-9339.] 

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. Any other persons who would like to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS) may contact SEA. EAs in this type of abandonment proceeding normally will be made available within 33 days of the filing of the application. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 30 days of its service. The comments received will be addressed in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be issued where appropriate. 

                    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at                     *“http://www.stb.dot.gov.”*

Decided: March 13, 2009.

By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of Proceedings. 

Jeffrey Herzig, 

Clearance Clerk.

# Footnotes

1.                             In addition to the 19.57 miles of branch line, the line includes approximately 4.4 miles of sidings and industrial track.                     
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 [FR Doc. E9-5940 Filed 3-18-09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915-01-P