[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 16529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9175]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -
[Finance Docket No. 32760]


Union Pacific Corporation, Union Pacific Railroad Company and 
Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Control and Merger--Southern Pacific 
Rail Corporation, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, St. Louis 
Southwestern Railway Company, SPCSL Corp. and the Denver and Rio Grande 
Western Railroad Company

    The Surface Transportation Board (Board)\1\ announces its release 
of an Environmental Assessment (EA) that addresses potential 
environmental impacts associated with the merger proposal filed by the 
Union Pacific Railroad Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, 
``UP'') and the Southern Pacific Rail Corporation and its subsidiaries 
(collectively, ``SP'') in Finance Docket No. 32760.
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    \1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109 
Stat. 803 (the Act), enacted December 29, 1995, and effective 
January 1, 1996 abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission and 
transferred certain rail proceedings to the Surface Transportation 
Board (Board) if they involve functions retained by the Act. This 
proceeding concerns a function, authorization of rail construction 
under 49 U.S.C. 10901, that has been transferred to the Board.
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    The EA was prepared by the Board's Section of Environmental 
Analysis (SEA). In conducting its environmental review, SEA assessed 
the potential environmental impacts which could result from three types 
of merger-related actions:
     Traffic changes on rail line segments, at rail yards and 
at intermodal facilities.
     Rail line segment abandonments.
     Rail line construction on new rights-of-way.
    Environmental impacts associated with these actions include safety, 
transportation, air quality, noise, historic resources, biological 
resources, water resources, and hazardous materials. Specifically, the 
EA examined 72 rail line segments in 19 states, 26 rail yards in 10 
states, 16 intermodal facilities in 8 states, 17 rail abandonments in 8 
states, and 25 new rail line construction projects in 8 states. 
Appropriate mitigation measures were developed to address particular 
areas of environmental concern.
    Based on its independent analysis, available information, and the 
recommended mitigation, SEA concludes that the proposed merger and 
related abandonments and construction activities would not result in 
significant environmental impacts. Therefore, the environmental impact 
statement process is not necessary.
    The public has until May 3, 1996 to submit comments on the EA to 
SEA. SEA invites the public to include in its comments specific and 
reasonable mitigation measures to address areas of environmental 
concern. These written comments (an original and 10 copies) should be 
addressed to: Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis, Room 3219, Surface Transportation Board, 1201 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001, Attn: FD-32760.
    Copies of the EA have been served on all parties of record and 
appropriate federal, state, and local agencies. To obtain copies of the 
EA, please contact Harold McNulty at SEA's toll-free Environmental 
Hotline: 1-800-448-7246. Assistance for the hearing impaired is 
available through TDD services (202) 927-5721.

    Date made available to the public: April 12, 1996.

    By the Surface Transportation Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, 
Section of Environmental Analysis, Office of Economic and 
Environmental Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-9175 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P