[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31035-31036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket Nos. AB-425 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-426 (Sub-No. 1X)]

Lone Star Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Taylor and 
Jones Counties, TX


Southern Switching Company--Discontinuance of Service Exemption--
in Taylor and Jones Counties, TX

    On May 20, 1999, Lone Star Railroad, Inc. (LSRI), and Southern 
Switching Company (SSC) 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 LSRI to abandon, and SSC to 
discontinue service over, a 4.5-mile line of railroad, known as the 
North Abilene Line, extending from milepost 147.3 at or near Abilene to 
milepost 142.8 at or near North Abilene, in Taylor and Jones Counties, 
TX.\1\ The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 79601 and 
includes the station of North Abilene.
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    \1\ LSRI owns the line and SSC operates it pursuant to a 
contract with LSRI.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in LSRI's and SSC'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 September 7, 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 persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public

[[Page 31036]]

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 June 29, 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-425 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-426 (Sub-No. 1X) 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) Thomas F. 
McFarland, Jr., McFarland & Herman, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330, 
Chicago, IL 60606-2902. Replies are due June 29, 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 and 
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: May 26, 1999.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-14599 Filed 6-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P