[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38878-38879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19285]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-547X]


Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority--Abandonment Exemption--
in Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin Counties, CO

    On June 30, 1998, Roaring Fork Railroad Holding Authority (RFRHA) 
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. 10903-10905 
1 to abandon its line of railroad known as the Aspen Branch, 
extending from milepost 360.22 near Glenwood Springs

[[Page 38879]]

to the end of the line at milepost 393.66 near Woody Creek, a total 
distance of approximately 33.44 miles in Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin 
Counties, CO. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 81601, 
81602, 81621, 81623, 81628, 81654 and 81656. There are no stations on 
the line.
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    \1\ RFRHA seeks exemptions from the offer of financial 
assistance (OFA) provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905. These exemption requests will be 
addressed in the final decision.
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    The line contains federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in RFRHA's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    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 October 16, 1998.
    Unless an exemption is granted from the OFA provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
10904, any 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. Unless an exemption is 
granted from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905, 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 August 10, 
1998.2 Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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    \2\ Included in its petition is a request by RFRHA to railbank 
the line and a statement of its willingness to assume full 
responsibility for the management and use of the right-of-way and 
for the payment of taxes and other liabilities. This request by 
RFRHA to railbank its own line will be addressed in the final 
decision.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-547X 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) Charles H. Montange, 426 NW 162d Street, 
Seattle, WA 98177.
    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.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: July 14, 1998.

    By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-19285 Filed 7-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P