Source: https://www.stb.gov/decisions/readingroom.nsf/fc695db5bc7ebe2c852572b80040c45f/4f02cac2f6f106568525770c00550ff4?OpenDocument
Timestamp: 2018-01-16 12:28:08
Document Index: 544577138

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1152', '§ 10903', '§ 1105', '§ 1451', '§ 1105', '§ 1105', '§ 1451', '§ 1105', '§ 470']

40724 - Decision
mapattachment#40724.pdf
40724 SERVICE DATE – APRIL 26, 2010
in Orange County, Cal.
In this proceeding, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed a notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. § 1152.50 seeking exemption from the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 10903 in connection with the discontinuance of service and abandonment of a line of railroad in Orange County, California. The rail line proposed for abandonment, known as the Brea Chemical Industrial Lead, extends 1.15 miles from Milepost 507.5 to Milepost 508.65 near the City of Brea. A map depicting the line in relationship to the area served is appended to this Environmental Assessment (EA). If the notice becomes effective, the railroad will be able to salvage track, ties and other railroad appurtenances and to dispose of the right-of-way.
According to UP, the line proposed for abandonment was originally constructed in 1911 by the Pacific Electric Railway. No local traffic has moved over the line during the past two years. There is no overhead traffic or passenger service on the line. Based on information in UP’s possession, the line does not contain Federally granted right-of-way. UP indicates that the right-of-way width is approximately 125 feet. The right-of-way is suitable for alternate public use. UP’s Real Estate Department has negotiated an agreement to sell almost all of the line to the City of Brea for an extension of the City of Brea’s park system. There is no reversionary property on the line. The line is located in an area of mixed commercial, industrial, and residential use. The topography is generally level. UP knows of no historic sites, structures, or archeological resources on the line.
UP submitted an environmental report that concludes the quality of the human environment would not be affected significantly as a result of the abandonment or any post-abandonment activities, including salvage and disposition of the right-of-way. UP served the environmental report on a number of appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies as required by the Surface Transportation Board’s (Board) environmental rules (49 C.F.R. § 1105.7(b)).[1] The Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has reviewed and investigated the record in this proceeding.
According to UP, no local traffic has moved over the line for at least two years and there is no overhead traffic on the line. Accordingly, the proposed abandonment would not adversely impact the development, use and transportation of energy resources or recyclable commodities; transportation of ozone-depleting materials; or result in the diversion of rail traffic to truck traffic that could result in significant impacts to air quality or the local transportation network.
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has advised SEA that 3 geodetic station markers have been identified that may be affected by the proposed abandonment. Accordingly, we will recommend a condition requiring that UP consult with the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that will disturb or destroy any geodetic station markers.
Orange County is one of California’s coastal counties subject to state coastal management consistency certification requirements. Accordingly, we are recommending a condition requiring that, prior to beginning any salvage activities, UP shall consult with the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to determine whether state coastal management consistency certification is required. If consistency certification is required, the railroad shall be prohibited from performing any salvage activities until it obtains consistency certification and shall then notify the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis, pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq. and the Board’s environmental regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 1105.9.
UP served the historic report on the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO), pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 1105.8(c). The SHPO has not yet commented on the historic report, and SEA therefore has not been able to consider the SHPO’s opinion in determining whether the rail line may be potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Accordingly, we are recommending a condition requiring the railroad to retain its interest in and take no steps to alter the historic integrity of all historic properties including sites, buildings, structures and objects within the project right-of-way (the Area of Potential Effect) eligible for listing or listed in the National Register of Historic Places until completion of the Section 106 process. Guidance regarding the Board’s historic preservation review process is available on the Board’s website at http://www.stb.dot.gov/stb/environment/preservation.html.
SEA conducted a search of the Native American Consultation Database at www.cast.uark.edu/other/nps/nacd/ to identify Federally recognized tribes that may have ancestral connections to the project area and no tribes were identified that may have an interest in the proposed abandonment.
1. Union Pacific Railroad Company shall consult with the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that will disturb or destroy any geodetic station markers.
2. Prior to beginning any salvage activities, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) shall consult with the California Coastal Commission to determine whether state coastal management consistency certification is required. If consistency certification is required, UP shall be prohibited from performing any salvage activities until it obtains consistency certification and shall then notify the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis, pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq. and the Board’s environmental regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 1105.9.
3. Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) shall retain its interest in and take no steps to alter the historic integrity of all historic properties including sites, buildings, structures, and objects within the project right-of-way (the Area of Potential Effect) that are eligible for listing or listed in the National Register of Historic Places until the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 470f, has been completed. UP shall report back to the Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) regarding any consultations with the State Historic Preservation Office, any other Section 106 consulting parties that have been identified and the public. UP may not file its consummation notice or initiate any salvage activities related to abandonment (including removal of tracks and ties) until the Section 106 process has been completed and the Board has removed this condition.
If you wish to file comments regarding this Environmental Assessment, send an original and two copies to Surface Transportation Board, Case Control Unit, Washington, DC 20423, to the attention of Kenneth Blodgett, who prepared this Environmental Assessment. Environmental comments may also be filed electronically on the Board=s website, www.stb.dot.gov, by clicking on the “E-FILING” link. Please refer to Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 281X) in all correspondence, including e-filings, addressed to the Board. If you have any questions regarding this Environmental Assessment, please contact Kenneth Blodgett, the environmental contact for this case, by phone at (202) 245-0305, fax at (202) 245-0454, or e-mail at blodgettk@stb.dot.gov.
Date made available to the public: April 26, 2010.
Comment due date: May 11, 2010.
[1] The Environmental and Historic Reports are available for viewing on the Board’s website at www.stb.dot.gov by going to “E-Library,” selecting “Filings,” and then conducting a search for AB-33 (Sub-No. 281X).