[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15562-15563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8578]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board 1
[Finance Docket No. 32530]


Kansas City Southern Railway Company; Construction and Operation 
Exemption; Geismar Industrial Area Near Gonzales and Sorrento, in 
Ascension Parish, LA

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

    \1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109 
Stat. 803 (the Act), which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and 
took effect on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce 
Commission (ICC) and transferred certain functions and proceedings 
to the Surface Transportation Board (Board). Section 204(b)(1) of 
the Act provides, in general, that proceedings pending before the 
ICC on the effective date of that legislation shall be decided under 
the law in effect prior to January 1, 1996, insofar as they involve 
functions retained by the Act. This notice relates to a proceeding 
that was pending with the ICC prior to January 1, 1996, and to 
functions that are subject to Board jurisdiction pursuant to section 
49 U.S.C. 10901. Therefore, this notice applies the law in effect 
prior to the Act, and citations are to the former section of the 
statute, unless otherwise indicated.

ACTION: Notice of final scope of study for environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the final scope of study prepared in 
response to written comments, as well as oral comments given at a 
public meeting, for the environmental impact statement to be prepared 
for the above proceeding. Written comments on the final scope are 
requested.

DATES: Written comments on the final scope of work are due May 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Michael Dalton, Section of Environmental Analysis, Room 
3219, Surface Transportation Board, 12th and Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20423.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Dalton (202) 927-6197.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCS) 
has filed a petition for exemption with the Board seeking authority to 
construct and operate an 8.8-mile line of railroad from the KCS 
mainline near Sorrento to the Geismar Industrial area in Ascension 
Parish, Louisiana.
    We believe that if the Board approves the construction and 
operation, this action would constitute a major Federal action having 
the potential to significantly affect the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, we will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS). A notice of intent to prepare an EIS and to hold a 
public scoping meeting for this proceeding was published on October 30, 
1995. The notice requested comments in writing or orally at a public 
scoping meeting that was held in Gonzales, Louisiana on November 30, 
1995. Over 100 parties provided comments and/or attended the scoping 
meeting. In accordance with the Board's environmental rules at 49 CFR 
1105, the final scope of study is summarized below.

SUMMARY OF THE SCOPE OF STUDY: Construction and operation activities 
may significantly affect the environment in the project area. Based on 
the comments and our initial evaluation, the proposed construction and 
operation may result in a number of environmental impacts. These 
impacts may include:

Land Use Impacts
Socioeconomic Impacts from Physical Environmental Changes
Impacts to Water Resources
Impacts to Biological Resources
Transportation and Safety Impacts
Energy Impacts
Air Quality Impacts
Noise and Vibration Impacts
Impacts to Historic and Cultural Resources
Impacts to Recreational Resources

    Copies of the complete scope of study have been served on all the 
parties to this proceeding. A copy of the scoping document may be 
obtained by contacting Michael Dalton at (202) 927-6197.
    A notice of availability of the draft EIS will be announced in the 
Federal Register and served on parties to the proceeding.


[[Page 15563]]

    By the Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-8578 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P