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

          - [Docket No. FD 35861]

                    On October 9, 2014, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) filed a petition requesting that the Board issue a declaratory order regarding the availability of injunctive remedies under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to prevent or delay construction of an approximately 114-mile high-speed passenger rail line between Fresno and Bakersfield, Cal. (the Line). The Board authorized construction of the Line, subject to certain conditions, in                     *California High-Speed Rail Authority—Construction Exemption—in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, & Kern Counties, California,*                     FD 35724 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served August 12, 2014) (Vice Chairman Miller concurring and Commissioner Begeman dissenting). The Authority states that seven lawsuits have been filed against the Authority challenging its compliance with CEQA with respect to the Line and that the lawsuits seek injunctive remedies under CEQA that would prevent or delay construction of the Line. The Authority argues that 49 U.S.C. 10501(b) would preempt such CEQA remedies because injunctive relief would enjoin construction of a Board-authorized project.                

The Authority has requested that the Board issue an expedited declaratory order by November 20, 2014. The first case management conference for the lawsuits is scheduled for November 21, 2014, and the Authority claims that a declaratory order issued before that conference would remove uncertainty regarding the CEQA injunctive remedies available to the litigants. The Authority states that it served a copy of its petition on all counsel of record in the lawsuits.

The Board has discretionary authority under 5 U.S.C. 554(e) and 49 U.S.C. 721 to issue a declaratory order to eliminate a controversy or remove uncertainty. Here, it is appropriate to institute a declaratory order proceeding so that the Board can consider the issues raised in the Authority's petition regarding whether 10501(b) would preempt CEQA injunctive remedies regarding the Line. The Board will therefore institute a proceeding to consider the matter. Interested persons may file substantive replies to the Authority's petition by November 6, 2014.

This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

*It is ordered:*

1. A declaratory order proceeding is instituted.

2. Interested persons may file substantive replies to the Authority's petition by November 6, 2014.

3. This decision is effective on its service date.

By the Board.

Rachel D. Campbell,

Director, Office of Proceedings.

Brendetta S. Jones,

Clearance Clerk.

[FR Doc. 2014-25130 Filed 10-21-14; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4915-01-P