[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20000-20001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10528]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-531X]


Pioneer Valley Railroad Company, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--In 
Hampden County, MA

    On April 2, 1998, Pioneer Valley Railroad Company, Inc., 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 known as the Westfield Branch extending from milepost 
0.0 to the end of the line at milepost 1.9, a total distance of 1.9 
miles, in Westfield, Hampden County, MA. The line traverses U.S. Postal 
Service ZIP Code 01085. There are no stations on the line.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroad's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions specified 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 July 21, 1998.

[[Page 20001]]

    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 May 12, 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-531X 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) Thomas J. Litwiler, Oppenheimer Wolff and 
Donnelly, Two Prudential Plaza, 45th Floor, 180 North Stetson Avenue, 
Chicago, IL 60601.
    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 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: April 15, 1998.
    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-10528 Filed 4-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P