[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1119]



[[Page 2719]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-32 (Sub-No. 83)] and [STB Docket No. AB-355 (Sub-No. 
23)]


Boston and Maine Corporation--Abandonment and Springfield 
Terminal Railway Company--Discontinuance of Service--in Hartford and 
New Haven Counties, CT

    On December 29, 1997, the Boston and Maine Corporation (B&M) and 
Springfield Terminal Railway Company (ST) (referred to collectively as 
applicants) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board), 
Washington, DC 20423, an application for permission for B&M to abandon 
and ST to discontinue service on a line of railroad known as the Canal 
Branch extending from milepost 14.50 in Cheshire, CT, to milepost 24.00 
in Southington, CT, a distance of approximately 9.50 miles, in Hartford 
and New Haven Counties, CT. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service ZIP 
Codes 06410, 06467, 06479, and 06489. Applicants have indicated that 
there are no agency stations located on the line.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in B&M's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it. The applicants' entire case for abandonment and 
discontinuance was filed with the application.
    The line of railroad has appeared on B&M's system diagram map or 
has been included in its narrative in category 1 since February 28, 
1997.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by Oregon 
Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    Any interested person may file with the Board written comments 
concerning the proposed abandonment and discontinuance or protests 
(including the protestant's entire opposition case), by February 12, 
1998. All interested persons should be aware that following any 
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 U.S.C. 10905 (49 CFR 1152.28 of the 
Board's rules) and any request for a trail use condition under 16 
U.S.C. 1247(d) (49 CFR 1152.29 of the Board's rules) must be filed by 
February 12, 1998. Persons who may oppose the abandonment or 
discontinuance but who do not wish to participate fully in the process 
by appearing at any oral hearings or by submitting verified statements 
of witnesses containing detailed evidence should file comments. Persons 
interested only in seeking public use or trail use conditions should 
also file comments. Persons opposing the proposed abandonment or 
discontinuance that do wish to participate actively and fully in the 
process should file a protest.
    In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide:
    (i) An offer of financial assistance, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904 
(due 120 days after the application is filed or 10 days after the 
application is granted by the Board, whichever occurs sooner);
    (ii) Recommended provisions for protection of the interests of 
employees;
    (iii) A request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905; 
and
    (iv) A statement pertaining to prospective use of the right-of-way 
for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and 49 
CFR 1152.29.
    Parties seeking information concerning the filing of protests 
should refer to 49 CFR 1152.25.
    Written comments and protests, including all requests for public 
use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation 
STB Nos. AB-32 (Sub-No. 83) and AB-355 (Sub-No. 23) and should be filed 
with the Secretary, Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, 
no later than February 12, 1998. Interested persons may file a written 
comment or protest with the Board to become a party to this proceeding. 
A copy of each written comment or protest shall be served upon the 
applicants' representative, John R. Nadolny, General Counsel, Law 
Department, Boston and Maine Corporation, Iron Horse Park, N. 
Billerica, MA 01862. The original and 10 copies of all comments or 
protests shall be filed with the Board with a certificate of service. 
Except as otherwise set forth in part 1152, every document filed with 
the Board must be served on all parties to the proceeding. 49 CFR 
1104.12(a).
    The line sought to be abandoned and discontinued will be available 
for subsidy or sale for continued rail use, if the Board decides to 
permit the abandonment and discontinuance, in accordance with 
applicable laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. 10904 and 49 CFR 1152.27). 
No subsidy arrangement approved under 49 U.S.C. 10904 shall remain in 
effect for more than 1 year unless otherwise mutually agreed by the 
parties (49 U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). Applicants will promptly provide 
upon request to each interested party an estimate of the subsidy and 
minimum purchase price required to keep the line in operation. The 
carriers' representative to whom inquiries may be made concerning sale 
or subsidy terms is set forth above.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board 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).
    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 abandonment proceedings normally 
will be made available within 33 days of the filing of the application. 
The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be 
within 30 days of its service. The comments received will be addressed 
in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be issued where 
appropriate.

    Decided: January 12, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-1119 Filed 1-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P