[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48310-48311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22477]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 1249]


Buckeye Hammond Railroad LLC--Abandonment Exemption--in Lake 
County, Ind.

    On September 27, 2017, Buckeye Hammond Railroad LLC (BHRR) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 10903 to abandon approximately 1.29 miles of rail line located 
within the Hammond Transload Facility (Facility) in Hammond, Lake 
County, Ind., traversing United States Postal Service Zip Codes 46320 
and 46312 (the Line). BHRR states that the Line does not include 
stations other than the Facility and does not have milepost 
designations.
    According to BHRR, Buckeye Terminals, LLC, is the only shipper on 
the Line, which is used exclusively for

[[Page 48311]]

transloading and interchange with the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad 
(IHBR). Upon consummation of the proposed transaction, BHRR states that 
IHBR would continue to pick up and deliver traffic to the Facility as a 
common carrier. BHRR states that, Buckeye Terminals, which will be 
BHRR's successor as owner of the Line, or a contractor for Buckeye 
Terminals, would move cars around the Facility for its own internal 
use. According to BHRR, Buckeye Terminals would continue to receive and 
deliver traffic to IBHR at the property, but would do so over private 
track that would no longer be subject to this Board's jurisdiction. 
BHRR states that no other customers have requested common carrier 
service from BHRR.
    According to BHRR, the Line is stub-ended and therefore may not 
accommodate overhead traffic. BHRR states that, based on information in 
its and Buckeye Terminals' possession, the Line does not contain 
federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in their 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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by January 12, 2018.
    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 $1,800 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment, 
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 
interim trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no 
later than November 6, 2017. Each interim trail use request must be 
accompanied by a $300 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1249 and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Charles A. Spitulnik, 
Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP, 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW., Suite 800, 
Washington, DC 20036. Replies to the petition are due on or before 
November 6, 2017.
    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 regulations at 49 CFR part 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.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by OEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any agencies or other persons who comment during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in 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 generally will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
WWW.STB.GOV.

    Decided: October 12, 2017.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.

Tammy Lowery,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2017-22477 Filed 10-16-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P