[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62708-62709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24878]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 370X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties, Ohio

    On September 30, 2014, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) 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 to 
discontinue rail service over approximately 40.7 miles of rail line 
between milepost CT 32.83 at Williamsburg and milepost CT 73.50 at Plum 
Run in Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties, Ohio.
    NSR states that the line includes the stations of Eastwood, Mt. 
Oreb, Sardinia, Mowrystown, Macon, Winchester, Seaman, Lawshe, Peebles, 
and Plum Run, all of which will be discontinued. Williamsburg is 
currently a station on the line, however, it will not be discontinued 
because NSR's Clare (Cincinnati)--Williamsburg, Ohio segment 
immediately to the west of and contiguous with the subject line is 
currently operated by CCET, LLC. (CCET).\1\ The line traverses U.S. 
Postal Service Zip Codes 45154, 45171, 45176, 45660, 45679, and 45697.
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    \1\ CCET was granted authority to lease and operate the rail 
line in CCET, LLC--Lease & Operation Exemption--Rail Line of Norfolk 
Southern Railway, FD 35810 (STB served April 4, 2014).
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    NSR states that the line does not contain any federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in NSR'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 Railroad-Abandonment Portion 
Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, 
Idaho, 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

[[Page 62709]]

decision will be issued by January 16, 2015.
    Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment 
proceeding, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are not 
appropriate. Similarly, no environmental or historic documentation is 
required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c)(2) and 1105.8.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
to subsidize continued rail service will be due no later than January 
26, 2015, or 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition 
for exemption, whichever occurs sooner. Each offer must be accompanied 
by a $1,600 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
290 (Sub-No. 370X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) William A. 
Mullins, Baker & Miller PLLC, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20037. Replies to the petition are due on or before 
October 30, 2014.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment and discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR pt. 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0305. 
[Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.]
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: October 14, 2014.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-24878 Filed 10-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P