[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7192-7193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3546]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket Nos. AB-502 and AB-503 (Sub-No. 1X)]


Bootheel Rail Properties, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Pemiscot and Dunklin Counties, MO, and Bootheel Regional Rail 
Corporation--Discontinuance Exemption--in Pemiscot and Dunklin 
Counties, MO

    On January 23, 1998, Bootheel Rail Properties, Inc. (BRP) and 
Bootheel Regional Rail Corporation (BRRC) 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 for BRP to abandon and 
BRRC to discontinue service over a line of railroad known as the Hayti-
Kennett Branch, extending from milepost 212.73, near Hayti, MO, to 
milepost 230.00, near Kennett, MO, a distance of 17.27 miles in 
Pemiscot and Dunklin Counties, MO. The line traverses U.S. Postal 
Service ZIP Codes 63851, 63857, 63871, and 63827. There are no agency 
stations located on the line.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in BRP's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it. Because BRP and BRRC are proposing to abandon and 
discontinue service respectively over their entire lines, no labor 
conditions will be imposed.
    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 May 13, 1998.
    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. 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 March 4, 1998. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket 
Nos. AB-503 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-502 (Sub-No. 1X) and must be sent to: 
(1) Surface Transportation Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control 
Unit, 1925 K

[[Page 7193]]

Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Suite 
225, 1455 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
    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. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). 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: February 5, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-3546 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P