[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 160 (Friday, August 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42678-42679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20914]


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[[Page 42679]]


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board \1\
[Finance Docket No. 31989]


The Elk River Railroad, Inc.--Construction and Operation--in Clay 
and Kanawha Counties, WV

    The Elk River Railroad, Inc. (TERRI) applied to the Interstate 
Commerce Commission (ICC), now the Surface Transportation Board 
(Board), for authority to construct and operate a 29.8-mile rail line 
from Hartland to Falling Rock, West Virginia. The ICC's Section of 
Environmental Analysis (SEA) began the environmental analysis of this 
proposal, considering the potential environmental impacts associated 
with TERRI's preferred route, and a ``no build'' alternative. SEA 
completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (served June 30, 
1995).
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    \1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. 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 Board's SEA has now completed the environmental review process, 
and its conclusions are discussed in the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS). SEA concludes that the proposed action would have 
adverse noise and safety impacts due to the close proximity of a 
substantial number of residences to the rail line. The proposed 
mitigation measures would reduce, but not totally eliminate, these 
impacts. There are, however, no feasible alternative rail routes by 
which this traffic could move. Furthermore, overall environmental 
impacts of the proposal may not be unduly severe if the recommended 
mitigation is implemented, particularly when balanced against the 
potential environmental benefits of reducing the increase in coal truck 
traffic. Therefore, the Section of Environmental Analysis recommends 
that the Board impose on any final decision approving the proposed 
construction and operation the mitigation measures contained in the 
FEIS.
    Copies of the FEIS have been served on representative individuals 
and agencies. For additional information about the FEIS, please 
contact: Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental Analysis, or 
Michael Dalton at (202) 927-6197.
    Copies of the FEIS are available to all persons for a fee through 
DC News and Data Inc. at (202) 289-4357 (assistance for the hearing 
impaired is available through TDD services (202) 927-5721) or by pickup 
from Room 2229, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20423. 
Because of limited resources, we are no longer able to make additional 
copies available at no cost.

    Date made available to the public: August 9, 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. 96-20914 Filed 8-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P