Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Transportation

###### Surface Transportation Board

          - [STB Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 184X)]

                    On August 29, 2008, Illinois Central Railroad Company (IC) filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to permit IC to abandon approximately 1.1 miles of rail line, beginning from the point of switch at Station 0+00 (mainline MP 3.00-Throop Street) and extending northeasterly 5,863 feet to the end of the track at Station 58+63 (mainline MP 2.00-Cermak Road), where it stub-ends, all in Chicago, Cook County, IL.[1]                                          The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 60616 and includes no stations.                

The line does not contain Federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in IC'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 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 December 17, 2008.

                    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 $1,500 filing fee.                     *See*49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).[2] 

                    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 trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than October 8, 2008. 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-43 (Sub-No. 184X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Michael J. Barron, Jr., Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 920, Chicago, IL 60606-2832. Replies to IC's petition are due on or before October 8, 2008.

Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 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) 245-0305. [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: September 9, 2008.

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

Anne K. Quinlan,

Acting Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             IC explains that, even though the line is classified as an industrial spur and does not have mileposts at this time, the line was once part of the Chicago and Alton Railroad's main line in Chicago. IC states that it has not located any record of an abandonment for the line or any evidence of the line having been relocated. IC further indicates that it has embargoed the Line since March 2008 due to track conditions.                    
        Back to Citation      

2.                             Effective July 18, 2008, the filing fee for an OFA increased to $1,500.                         *See Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection with Licensing and Related Services—2008 Update*, STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 15) (STB served June 18, 2008).                    
        Back to Citation      

[FR Doc. E8-21675 Filed 9-17-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915-01-P