[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5343-5344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2427]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-246 (Sub-No. 2X)] 1


Yreka Western Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Siskiyou County, CA

    On January 14, 1999, Yreka Western Railroad Company (YW) 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 
its entire 8.9-mile line of railroad extending between milepost 0.0 in 
Montague and milepost 8.9 near Yreka, in Siskiyou County, CA. The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 96064 and 96097 and includes no 
stations.
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    \1\ This petition for exemption was originally docketed as AB-
246 (Sub-No. 1X) and has been redocketed to AB-246 (Sub-No. 2X), 
same title. A previous YW abandonment application was denied in 
Yreka Western Railroad Company--Abandonment--In Siskiyou County, CA, 
Docket No. AB-246 (Sub-No. 1) (ICC served Nov. 6, 1987).
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in YW's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    In this proceeding, YW is proposing to abandon a line that 
constitutes its entire rail system. When issuing abandonment authority 
for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the 
Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically 
enumerated circumstances. See Northampton and Bath R. Co.--Abandonment, 
354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (Northampton). Therefore, if the Board 
grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one 
or more of the exceptions articulated in Northampton are present, no 
labor protective conditions would be imposed.
    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 May 4, 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 offer 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 February 23, 1999. 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-246 (Sub-No. 2X) 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) Fritz R. Kahn, Suite 750 West, 1100 
New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005-3934. Replies to the YW 
petition are due on or before February 23, 1999.
    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

[[Page 5344]]

(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: January 27, 1999.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-2427 Filed 2-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P