[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16859-16860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8647]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-493 (Sub-No. 7X)]


Track Tech, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Adair and Union 
Counties, IA

    On March 17, 1998, Track Tech, Inc. (Track Tech), 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 between milepost 1.45 near Creston, IA, and milepost 21.15 
at the end of the line in or near Greenfield, IA, which traverses U.S. 
Postal Service ZIP Codes 50801, 50848, and 50849, a distance of 19.70 
miles, in Adair and Union Counties, IA.1 The line includes 
the stations of Creston, located at milepost 1.45, Orient, located at 
milepost 12.2, and Greenfield, located at milepost 21.15.
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    \1\ Petitioner acquired this line from The Burlington Northern 
and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) in June 1997. Track Tech, Inc.--
Acquisition and Operation-- The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe 
Railway Company, STB Finance Docket No. 33434 (STB served Sept. 12, 
1997). Petitioner also acquired six other lines from BNSF in 
November 1996 and filed petitions for exemption to abandon these 
lines in STB Docket No. AB-493 (Sub-Nos. 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, and 
6X). The exemptions in Sub-Nos. 1X, 2X, and 5X were granted by 
decisions served on January 12, 1998. The exemptions in Sub-Nos. 3X, 
4X, and 6X were granted by decisions served on February 24, 1998.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-
way.2 Any documentation in the railroad's possession will be 
made available promptly to those requesting it.
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    \2\ Petitioner states that a title search in regard to land 
ownership is incomplete. Petitioner asserts that, based upon 
information in its possession, as well as in the possession of BNSF, 
it does not appear that the line contains any federally granted 
right-of-way.
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    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by 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 July 2, 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 the filing 
fee, which currently is set at $1,000. 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 27, 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-493 (Sub-No. 7X) 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) T. Scott Bannister, 1300 Des Moines 
Building, 405--Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309.
    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.]

[[Page 16860]]

    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 27, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-8647 Filed 4-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P