[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 177 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 49154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24573]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-317 (Sub-No. 5X)]


Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company--Abandonment and 
Discontinuance of Trackage Rights Exemption--in Cook County, IL and 
Lake County, IN

    On August 25, 1998, Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Company (IHB) 
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 East Chicago Belt Branch, 
extending from railroad Valuation Station (-0+17) beginning at a point 
168 feet west of the Illinois/Indiana State line in Burnham, IL, near 
Brainard Avenue, extending generally eastward through Hammond, IN, to 
and including a point 100 feet east of the east edge of Indianapolis 
Boulevard in East Chicago, IN, at railroad Valuation Station (140 + 
00), a distance of 2.3 miles in Cook County, IL, and Lake County, IN. 
The line includes approximately 0.4 mile of track in Hammond, in the 
vicinity of Sohl Avenue and Hohman Avenue, owned by the Elgin, Joliet 
and Eastern Railway Company, over which IHB seeks to discontinue 
trackage rights. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 
60603, 46320, and 46312. 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 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 December 11, 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 $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 October 5, 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-317 (Sub-No. 5X) 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) Roger A. Serpe, 175 West Jackson 
Boulevard, Suite 1460, Chicago, IL 60604-2704. Replies to the IHB 
petition are due on or before October 5, 1998.
    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 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: September 8, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-24573 Filed 9-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P