[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69188-69189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. FD 35838]


Wisconsin & Southern Railroad, L.L.C.--Acquisition and Operation 
Exemption--City of Fitchburg and Village of Oregon, WI

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of acquisition and operation exemption.

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SUMMARY: The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from 
the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10902 for the Wisconsin & 
Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (WSOR), a Class II rail carrier, to acquire 
and operate a permanent, exclusive freight rail operating easement over 
an approximately 15-mile line of railroad (the Line) owned by the City 
of Fitchburg and the Village of Oregon, Wis. (the Municipalities). The 
Line, also known as the Evansville Line, extends between milepost 
119.0, near Evansville, Wis., and milepost 134.0, near ``MX'' (a 
crossing of WSOR near Madison, Wis.), in Dane, Green, and Rock 
Counties. WSOR states that there has been no freight rail traffic on 
the Line since 1997. However, WSOR asserts that the Wisconsin River 
Rail Transit Commission (WRRTC), which describes itself as a 
governmental entity representing a consortium of nine Wisconsin 
counties, has recently been notified that a shipper seeking rail 
service is locating in the Village of Oregon. Consequently, WRRTC has 
requested that WSOR initiate service over the Line. WSOR states that it 
will enter into an agreement with the Municipalities whereby WSOR will

[[Page 69189]]

acquire the exclusive rail freight easement for resumption of rail 
operations. The Board is also granting WSOR's request for a waiver of 
the employee notice requirements of 49 CFR 1121.4(h). This exemption is 
subject to standard labor protective conditions.

DATES: This exemption will be effective on December 18, 2014. Petitions 
to stay must be filed by November 28, 2014. Petitions to reopen must be 
filed by December 8, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of all pleadings referring to 
FD 35838 to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of all pleadings must 
be served on WSOR's representative: Karl Morell, Of Counsel, BALL JANIK 
LLP, Suite 225, 655 Fifteenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, and on 
all other parties of record in Docket No. FD 35838.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathon Binet, (202) 245-0368. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339. Copies of written 
filings will be available for viewing and self-copying at the Board's 
Public Docket Room, Room 131, and will be posted to the Board's Web 
site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information is contained in the 
Board's decision served on November 18, 2014, which is available on our 
Web site at www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: November 17, 2014.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Miller, and 
Commissioner Begeman.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-27511 Filed 11-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P