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###### Department of Transportation

###### Surface Transportation Board 

          - [STB Docket No. AB-792X] 

On January 12, 2005, Railroad Switching Service of Missouri, Inc. (RSSM), a Class III rail carrier, filed with the Surface Transportation Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon its entire line of railroad extending from a point of connection with Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) at or near Broad Street (milepost 0) to terminus at the publishing facility of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (milepost 1.89), a distance of 1.89 miles, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, MO. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 63101 and includes the station of St. Louis. 

The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in RSSM's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it. 

                    In this proceeding, RSSM is proposing to abandon a line that constitutes its entire rail system. When issuing abandonment authority for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically enumerated circumstances.                     *See Northampton and Bath R. Co.—Abandonment*, 354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (                    *Northampton*). Therefore, if the Board grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one or more of the exceptions articulated in                     *Northampton*                     are present, no labor protective conditions will be imposed.                 

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 May 2, 2005. 

                    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 OFA must be accompanied by a $1,200 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 February 22, 2005. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee.                     *See*49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).                 

All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-792X and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Thomas F. McFarland, Thomas F. McFarland, P.C., 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604-1112. 

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) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) 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. 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 Web site at “                    *http://www.stb.dot.gov*.”                 

Decided: January 26, 2005. 

By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. 

Vernon A. Williams,

Secretary. 

[FR Doc. 05-1817 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915-01-P