[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7688-7689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3647]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-558X]


Doniphan, Kensett and Searcy Railway--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Searcy, White County, AR

    On January 27, 1999, Doniphan, Kensett and Searcy Railway (DK&S) 
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. 10903-05 
1 to abandon a portion of its line of railroad known as the 
DK&S Branch extending from milepost 299.12 to the end of the line at 
milepost 300.40, in Searcy, a distance of 1.28 miles in White County, 
AR. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 72143, 72144 and 
72145 and includes the non-agency rail station at milepost 300.40 in 
Searcy.
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    \1\ DK&S seeks exemptions from the offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10904 and the public use provisions of 
49 U.S.C. 10905. These exemption requests will be addressed in the 
final decision.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in DK&S'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 May 17, 1999.
    Unless an exemption is granted, as sought, from the OFA provisions 
of 49 U.S.C. 10904, any 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. Unless an exemption is 
granted, as sought, from the public use provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10905, 
any request for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for

[[Page 7689]]

trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than 
March 8, 1999.2 Each trail use request must be accompanied 
by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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    \2\ DK&S states that, because it has already agreed to transfer 
the property to Harding University for use in constructing campus 
housing, DK&S will not negotiate with any party for transfer of the 
line for trail use.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-558X 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) Joseph D. Anthofer, 1416 Dodge Street, Room 830, 
Omaha, NE 68179-0830.
    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: February 4, 1999.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-3647 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P