[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 23898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-561X and STB Docket No. AB-562X]


Rio Valley Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--In Cameron 
County, TX and Rio Valley Switching Company--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--In Cameron County, TX

    On April 14, 1999, Rio Valley Railroad, Inc. (RVRI), and Rio Valley 
Switching Company (RVSC) jointly filed with the Surface Transportation 
Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemptions from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 for RVRI to abandon, and RVSC to 
discontinue service over, an 8.808-mile line of railroad, known as the 
Rio Hondo Line, extending between milepost 0.316 near San Benito and 
milepost 9.19 at Rio Hondo, in Cameron County, TX.1 The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code 78583 and includes the station 
of Rio Hondo.
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    \1\ The beginning of the Rio Hondo Line, from milepost 0.066 to 
milepost 0.316, is not included in the proposed abandonment and 
discontinuance.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in RVRI's and RVSC'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 exemption 
proceedings pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by August 2, 1999.
    Any offer of financial assistance under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will 
be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the 
exemptions. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,000 filing fee. See 
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested parties 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 May 24, 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 
Nos. AB-561X and AB-562X 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) Thomas F. McFarland, 
Jr., McFarland & Herman, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330, Chicago, IL 
60606-2902. Replies are due May 24, 1999.
    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.]
    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: April 27, 1999.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-11003 Filed 5-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P