[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 52373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26542]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7)]


CSX Corporation and CSX Transportation, Inc., Norfolk Southern 
Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Control and Operating 
Leases/Agreements--Conrail, Inc. and Consolidated Rail Corporation

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessments for 
Three Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) Rail Line Constructions and 
Four CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSX) Rail Line Constructions Prior to 
the Surface Transportation Board's Decision on the Acquisition and 
Division of the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail).

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice of the 
availability of the environmental assessments (EA) and public comment 
period for three NS rail line constructions and four CSX rail line 
constructions. Although the EAs recommend several mitigation measures 
to off-set specific environmental effects, the EAs generally conclude 
that there will be no significant environmental impacts associated with 
the construction of these rail lines.

DATES: Written comments on the environmental impacts of Finance Docket 
No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7) are due October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to file comments on the EAs, send an original 
and 10 copies to: Vernon A. Williams, Secretary, Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20423-0001. Mark 
the lower left corner of the envelope: Attention: Dana White, 
Environmental Comments, Finance Docket No. 33388 (Sub-Nos. 1-7).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana White, Section of Environmental 
Analysis, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW, Washington, 
DC 20423-0001; (202) 565-1552. TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 565-
1695. Copies of the EAs may also be obtained by contacting Ms. White.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 10, 1997, CSX, NS and Conrail filed 
their notice of intent to file an application seeking the Board's 
authorization for: (1) The acquisition by CSX and NS of control of 
Conrail, and (2) the division of Conrail's assets. Shortly afterwards, 
NS and CSX requested and received approval from the Board to seek the 
Board's authority to construct and operate seven rail line connections 
prior to the Board's decision on the acquisition and division of 
Conrail.
    The seven rail line constructions are each relatively short (a 
total length of under 4 miles), would provide connections between two 
rail carriers, and would take place within existing rights-of-way. 
Early authorization to construct these connections, CSX and NS 
contended, would allow them to provide efficient service in competition 
with each other. However, no construction can occur until the Board 
completes its environmental review of each of the construction 
projects. Further, the Board advised CSX and NS that they were 
proceeding at their own risk in expending resources prior to the 
Board's decision on the acquisition transaction.
    In seven separate EAs, the Board considered the environmental 
aspects of these proposed constructions and the railroads' proposed 
operations over these lines. The operational implications of the 
acquisition as a whole, including operations over the roughly 4 miles 
of line embraced by the seven connection projects, will be examined in 
the environmental impact statement being prepared to assess the impacts 
of the entire acquisition transaction.
    On October 7, 1997, the Board served the EAs on Federal, state and 
local agencies and members of the affected communities. Although the 
EAs recommend several mitigation measures to off-set specific 
environmental effects, the EAs generally conclude that there will be no 
significant environmental impacts. There is a 20-day public comment 
period ending October 27, 1997. The Board will consider the findings of 
the EAs as well as any comments on the EAs in its decision to approve 
or deny the construction of each of these lines.
    The following is a list of the EAs, the locations of the proposed 
rail line constructions, the railroads, and their sub-docket numbers 
within the primary Finance Docket Number 33388 for the proposed 
acquisition:

       Environmental Assessments for Seven Rail Line Constructions      
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            Location                  Railroad      Finance docket 33388
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Crestline, OH...................  CSX.............  (Sub No. 1)         
Willow Creek, IN................  CSX.............  (Sub No. 2)         
Greenwich, OH...................  CSX.............  (Sub No. 3)         
Sidney Junction, OH.............  CSX.............  (Sub No. 4)         
Sidney, IL......................  NS..............  (Sub No. 5)         
Alexandria, IN..................  NS..............  (Sub No. 6)         
Bucyrus, OH.....................  NS..............  (Sub No. 7)         
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    By the Board, Elaine K. Kaiser, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-26542 Filed 10-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P