[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15258-15259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8118]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 40X)]


Soo Line Railroad Company; Abandonment Exemption; in Hennepin 
County, MN

    On March 10, 1998, Soo Line Railroad Company, operating under the 
trade name Canadian Pacific Railway (Soo Line), 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 its line of 
railroad known as the Hiawatha/Cedar Avenue Wye, extending from 
milepost 423.59, near the eastern edge of Cedar Avenue to 
mileposts 423.26 and 423.21, respectively, near 
the eastern edge of Hiawatha Avenue, a total distance of approximately 
1 mile, in Hennepin County, MN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service 
Zip Code 55407, and includes the station of Minneapolis at milepost 
423.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in Soo Line's possession will be made available promptly 
to those requesting it.

[[Page 15259]]

    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--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 June 26, 1998. 1
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    \1\ Soo Line requests expedited handling of this petition to 
enable it to facilitate the removal of rail materials and structures 
from the right-of-way before the State of Minnesota resumes 
construction of Highway 55 on July 1, 1998. If the record supports 
an abandonment, we will attempt to accommodate Soo Line's request.
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    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 $1,000 
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 April 20, 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 No. 
AB-57 (Sub-No. 40X) 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) Larry D. Starns, Esq., Leonard, 
Street and Deinard, 150 South 5th St., Suite 2300, Minneapolis, MN 
55402.
    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: March 23, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-8118 Filed 3-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P