[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31275-31276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14467]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 179X); STB Docket No. AB-458X]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Merced 
County, CA; California Northern Railroad Company--Discontinuance 
Exemption--in Merced County, CA

    On May 22, 2001, the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and the 
California Northern Railroad Company (CNR) jointly 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, permitting UP to 
abandon and CNR to discontinue service over a 1.10-mile segment of the 
Los Banos Branch, extending from milepost 140.07 to milepost 141.17 in 
Los Banos, Merced County, CA. There are no stations on the line, which 
traverses U. S. Postal Service Zip Code 93635.

[[Page 31276]]

    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroads' possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it.
    The interests 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 September 7, 2001.
    Any offer of financial assistance (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 offer 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. 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 July 2, 2001. 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-33 (Sub-No. 179X) et al. and must be sent to: (1) Surface 
Transportation Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 
K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001; (2) Mack H. Shumate, Jr., 101 
North Wacker Drive, Room 1920, Chicago, IL 60606; and (3) David L. 
Parkinson, 221 Gateway Road West, Suite 401, Napa, CA 94558. Replies to 
the exemption petition are due July 2, 2001.
    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 1-800-
877-8339.]
    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 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: June 4, 2001.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-14467 Filed 6-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P