[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35540-35541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-508X]


Land Conservancy of Seattle and King County--Abandonment 
Exemption--in King County, WA

    On June 11, 1997, The Land Conservancy of Seattle and King County 
(TLC) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
10903-05 1 to abandon a line of railroad known as the 
Sammamish or Issaquah Branch, extending from milepost 7.30 near Redmond 
to the end of the line at milepost 19.75 in Issaquah, which traverses 
U.S. Postal Service ZIP Codes 98027, 98029, 98052 and 98053, a distance 
of 12.45 miles, in King County, WA. TLC has indicated that there are no 
stations on the line.
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    \1\ TLC seeks exemptions from the offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905. Exemptions from 49 U.S.C. 10904-05 
have been granted from time to time, but only when the right-of-way 
is needed for a valid public purpose and there is no overriding 
public need for continued rail service.
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    TLC states that the line contains approximately 1 mile of federally 
granted right-of-way. Any documentation in TLC's possession will be 
made available promptly to those requesting it.
    In this proceeding, TLC is proposing to abandon a line that 
constitutes its entire rail system. In issuing abandonment authority 
for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the 
Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically 
enumerated circumstances. See Northampton and Bath R. Co.--Abandonment, 
354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (Northampton). Therefore, if the Board 
grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one 
or more of the exceptions articulated in Northampton are present, under 
Board policy no labor protective conditions would be imposed.

[[Page 35541]]

    By issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by September 29, 1997.
    Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the OFA provisions 
of 49 U.S.C. 10904, any OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no 
later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition 
for exemption. Each OFA must be accompanied by a $900 filing fee. See 
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public 
use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 and any request for trail use/rail 
banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than July 21, 1997. 
Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 
CFR 1002.2(f)(27).2
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    \2\ TLC submits, as Exhibit A to its petition, a trail use 
request executed by King County Department of Parks and Recreation 
(King County Parks). Because King County Parks is a state government 
entity, the filing fee is waived. 49 CFR 1002.2(e)(1).
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-508X and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, Office 
of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001; and (2) Charles H. Montange, 426 NW 162d Street, Seattle, 
WA 98177.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at (202) 
565-1695.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its 
preparation. Any other persons who would like to obtain a copy of the 
EA (or EIS) may contact SEA. EAs in these abandonment proceedings 
normally will be available within 60 days of the filing of the 
petition. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will 
generally be within 30 days of its service.

    Decided: June 23, 1997.

    By the Board, Vernon A. Williams, Secretary.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-17149 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P