[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51635-51636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25898]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-31 (Sub-No. 33)]


Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated--Abandonment--In Macomb 
and Oakland Counties, MI

    On September 8, 1998, Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated 
(GTW) filed with the Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 
20423, an application for permission for the abandonment of a portion 
of a line of railroad known as the Romeo Subdivision extending from 
railroad milepost 19.5 near Washington Station

[[Page 51636]]

(#55532 at MP 19.9) in Washington, MI, to milepost 37.7 near Pontiac 
Station (#55610 at MP 25.8 on the Holly Subdivision) in Pontiac, MI, a 
distance of 18.2 miles, in Macomb and Oakland Counties, MI. The line 
includes the stations of Washington (#55532 at MP 19.9), Rochester 
(#55535 at MP 26.3), and Auburn Heights (#55536 at MP 31.7), and 
traverses United States Postal Service ZIP Codes 48094, 48316, 48307, 
48309, 48326, and 48341. Neither Pontiac Station nor the Holly 
Subdivision is included in the line proposed to be abandoned.
    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 applicant's entire case (case-in-
chief) for abandonment was filed with the application.
    This line of railroad has appeared on the applicant's system 
diagram map in category 1 since April 3, 1998.
    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).
    Any interested person may file with the Surface Transportation 
Board written comments concerning the proposed abandonment or protests 
(including the protestant's entire opposition case), by October 23, 
1998. All interested persons should be aware that following any 
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 U.S.C. 10905 (Sec. 1152.28 of the 
Board's rules) and any request for a trail use condition under 16 
U.S.C. 1247(d) (Sec. 1152.29 of the Board's rules) must be filed by 
October 23, 1998. The due date for applicant's reply to protests and 
its response to trail use requests is November 9, 1998. Persons who may 
oppose the abandonment but who do not wish to participate fully in the 
process by appearing at any oral hearings or by submitting verified 
statements of witnesses containing detailed evidence should file 
comments. Persons interested only in seeking public use or trail use 
conditions should also file comments. Persons opposing the proposed 
abandonment that do wish to participate actively and fully in the 
process should file a protest.
    In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide:
    (i) An offer of financial assistance, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904 
(due 120 days after the application is filed or 10 days after the 
application is granted by the Board, whichever occurs sooner);
    (ii) Recommended provisions for protection of the interests of 
employees;
    (iii) A request for a public use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905; 
and
    (iv) A statement pertaining to prospective use of the right-of-way 
for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) and 
Sec. 1152.29.
    Parties seeking information concerning the filing of protests 
should refer to Sec. 1152.25.
    Written comments and protests, including all requests for public 
use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation 
STB No. AB-31 (Sub-No. 33) and should be filed with the Secretary, 
Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423, no later than 
October 23, 1998. Interested persons may file a written comment or 
protest with the Board to become a party to this abandonment 
proceeding. A copy of each written comment or protest shall be served 
upon the representatives of the applicant, Robert P. vom Eigen and 
Jamie P. Rennert, Hopkins & Sutter, 888 Sixteenth Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20006, Tel: (202) 835-8000. The original and 10 copies 
of all comments or protests shall be filed with the Board with a 
certificate of service. Except as otherwise set forth in part 1152, 
every document filed with the Board must be served on all parties to 
the abandonment proceeding. 49 CFR 1104.12(a).
    The line sought to be abandoned will be available for subsidy or 
sale for continued rail use, if the Board decides to permit the 
abandonment, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (49 
U.S.C. 10904 and 49 CFR 1152.27). No subsidy arrangement approved under 
49 U.S.C. 10904 shall remain in effect for more than 1 year unless 
otherwise mutually agreed by the parties (49 U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). 
Applicant will promptly provide upon request to each interested party 
an estimate of the subsidy and minimum purchase price required to keep 
the line in operation. The carrier's representative to whom inquiries 
may be made concerning sale or subsidy terms is Yves Lemieux, Director, 
Business Planning and Network Restructuring, Canadian National Railway 
Company, P.O. Box 8100, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3N4, Tel: (514) 
399-4231.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Surface Transportation Board or refer to the 
full abandonment regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning 
environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of 
Environmental Analysis.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by the Section of Environmental Analysis 
will be served upon all parties of record and upon any agencies or 
other persons who commented during its preparation. Any other persons 
who would like to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS) may contact the 
Section of Environmental Analysis. EAs in abandonment proceedings 
normally will be made available within 33 days of the filing date of 
the application. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will 
generally be within 30 days of its service. The comments received will 
be addressed in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be 
issued where appropriate.

    Decided: September 21, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-25898 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-M