Federal Register, Volume 63 Issue 215 (Friday, November 6, 1998)

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 215 (Friday, November 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60040-60041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29825]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 203X)] ¹
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    \1\ NSR has filed with the Board two related petitions for 
exemption. In Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Purchase Exemption--
Union Pacific Railroad Company, STB Finance Docket No. 33609 (STB 
served Oct. 29, 1998), NSR is proposing to purchase from UP, and to 
operate approximately 15.3 miles of rail line between Monterey 
Junction, IL (including the southwest leg of the wye track at 
Monterey Junction), and DeCamp, IL, plus certain yard tracks at 
Madison, IL. In Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Lease and 
Operation Exemption--Union Pacific Railroad Company, STB Finance 
Docket No. 33610 (pending), NSR is proposing to lease from UP, and 
to operate, approximately 4.7 miles of rail line between Monterey 
Mine No. 1 near Carlinville, IL, and Monterey Junction, IL, and a 
leg of the wye track and related trackage at Monterey Junction.
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Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Madison and Bond Counties, IL

    On October 16, 1998, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption

[[Page 60041]]

from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 39.1-mile branch 
line of railroad known as the Madison-Sorento Line or the Madison 
Branch, extending between milepost TS-406.6 at Sorento, IL, and 
milepost TS-445.7 at Madison, IL, in Madison and Bond Counties, 
IL.² The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 62001, 
62025, 62060, 62074, and 62086, and includes the stations of Madison, 
Stallings, Glen Carbon, Leclaire, Edwardsville, White (Town of 
Alhambra), New Douglas, and Sorento.
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    \2\ NSR indicates that the end point of the branch line at 
Sorento has been shown on its system diagram map as milepost TS-
444.2 rather than TS-445.7. NSR requests an exemption or waiver from 
the requirement that it list the 1.5 miles of the line between those 
mileposts on its system diagram map. Because NSR has provided no 
reasons for the Board to grant either exemption or waiver here, the 
request will not be granted. It should be noted, however, that 
failure to comply with 49 U.S.C. 10903(c)(2) is not grounds for 
denial of this abandonment petition.
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    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 February 3, 1999.
    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 November 27, 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-290 (Sub-No. 203X) 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) James R. Paschall, Three Commercial 
Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-2191. Replies to the NSR petition are due on 
or before November 27, 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 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: November 2, 1998.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-29825 Filed 11-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P