[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 5268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1817]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-792X]


Railroad Switching Service of Missouri, Inc.--Abandonment 
Exemption--in St. Louis County, MO

    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