[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 201 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 55917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27866]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-289 (Sub-No. 4X)]


The Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis--Discontinuance of 
Service Exemption--in Clinton, Howard and Tipton Counties, IN

    On September 29, 1998, The Central Railroad Company of Indianapolis 
(CERA) 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 discontinue service over two segments of 
railroad (the Kokomo Lines) owned by Norfolk and Western Railway 
Company (NW) extending from milepost I-41.0 near Tipton to milepost I-
51.8 at Kokomo, and extending from milepost TS-183.7 at Kokomo to 
milepost TS-206.44 at Frankfort, a total distance of approximately 
33.54 miles in Clinton, Howard and Tipton Counties, IN. As part of the 
exemption, CERA also seeks to discontinue incidental trackage rights 
(used at various points for interchange only) over approximately 4.54 
miles of NW's trackage between milepost TS-206.44 and milepost TS-
207.80 near Frankfort, between milepost I-39.76 and milepost I-41.0 
near Tipton, and between milepost SP-209.28 and milepost SP-211.22 near 
Tipton, in Clinton and Tipton Counties, IN.2 The Kokomo 
lines traverse U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 46039, 46047, 46057, 
46067, 46068, 46072, 46902, 46979 and 46995. The lines include the 
stations of West Middleton, Russiaville, Forest, Michigantown, Tipton, 
Jackson, Sharpsville, Fairfield and Marshall, IN.
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    \1\ CERA seeks exemption from the offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) subsidy provision of 49 U.S.C. 10904. This exemption request 
will be addressed in the final decision. CERA also seeks exemption 
from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905. However, because 
this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment, trail 
use/rail banking and public use conditions are not applicable.
    \2\ CERA desires to terminate service because NW has terminated 
its lease with CERA effective July 31, 1998. NW resumed providing 
all rail service on the lines as of August 1, 1998.
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    The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in NW'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 January 15, 1999.
    Unless an exemption is granted from the OFA provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
10904, any OFA to subsidize continued rail service 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).
    This proceeding is exempt from environmental reporting requirements 
under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting requirements under 
1105.8(b).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-289 (Sub-No. 4X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Ball Janik, LLP, Suit 
225, 1455 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment and 
discontinuance 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.]
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: October 9, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-27866 Filed 10-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P