[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51180-51181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25925]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 190X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Fayette County, AL

    On September 10, 1997, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) 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 to 
abandon a line of railroad known as the Berry-Belk Line, extending from 
railroad milepost 862.8 at Berry, AL to railroad milepost 884.9 at or 
near Belk, (Covin), AL, a distance of 22.1 miles in Fayette County, AL. 
The line traverses U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code 35545 and includes the 
stations of Berry (milepost 862.8), Fayette (milepost 878.6), and Covin 
(Belk) (milepost 884.9).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it. The interest of railroad employees 
will be protected by the conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. 
Co.--

[[Page 51181]]

Abandonment--Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by December 29, 1997.
    Any offer of financial assistance (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.1 Any request 
for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail 
banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than October 20, 
1997. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. 
See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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    \1\ Although NSR believes that the line is not suitable for 
public use, we will nevertheless entertain public use/trail use 
requests.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-290 (Sub-No. 190X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) James R. Paschall, General Attorney, 
Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, VA 
23510-2191.
    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 made 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: September 24, 1997.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-25925 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P