[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 252 (Tuesday, December 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69132-69133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33276]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[STB Docket Nos. AB-3 (Sub-No. 139X); STB Docket No. AB-423 (Sub-No. 
2X)]


Missouri Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment and Discontinuance 
Of Operations Exemption--in Houston, Harris County, TX; Houston Belt & 
Terminal Railway Company--Discontinuance of Operations Exemption--in 
Houston, Harris County TX

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of exemption.

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SUMMARY: Under 49 U.S.C. 10502, the Board exempts Missouri Pacific 
Railroad Company and Houston Belt & Terminal Railway Company from the 
prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to permit them, 
respectively, to abandon and discontinue operations and discontinue 
operations over a 0.52-mile rail segment of the Columbia Tap Branch 
(Columbia Tap) extending from the end of the line at E.S. 261+00 to 
E.S. 288+60 near Houston, \1\ and from the offer of financial 
assistance requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905, subject to standard employee 
protective conditions.
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    \1\ MP is operated under common control and management with 
Union Pacific Railroad Company and Southern Pacific Transportation 
Company. HB&T is owned by MP and Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railroad Company. HB&T leases and operates property owned by its 
parent railroads. HB&T operates over and MP owns the line segment 
proposed for abandonment.
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DATES: This exemption is effective December 31, 1996. Formal 
expressions of intent to file an OFA and requests for public use and 
trail use will not be accepted. Petitions to reopen must be filed by 
January 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send pleadings referring to STB Docket Nos. AB-3 (Sub-No. 
139X) and AB-423 (Sub-No. 2X) to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
Office of the Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution Ave., 
N.W., Washington, DC 20423, and (2) Petitioners' representatives: 
Joseph D. Anthofer, 1416 Dodge St., Omaha, NE, 68179-0830, and J. B. 
Mathis, 501 Crawford, Houston, TX 77002-2192.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 927-7513. [TDD for 
the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information is contained in the 
Board's decision. To purchase a copy of the full decision, write to, 
call, or pick up in person from: DC News & Data, Inc., Room 2229, 1201 
Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington,

[[Page 69133]]

DC 20423. Telephone: (202) 289-4357/4359. [Assistance for the hearing 
impaired is available through TDD services (202) 927-5721.]

    Decided: December 23, 1996.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and 
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-33276 Filed 12-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P