[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8760-8761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3941]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-534 (Sub-No. 2X)]


Lake State Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Alpena and 
Presque Isle Counties, MI

    On February 2, 2000, Lake State Railway Company (Lake State) 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: (1) a portion of its main line Huron Subdivision extending 
from the U.S. Highway 23 crossing in Alpena (milepost 125.2) northward 
to the end of the main line just north of Metz, MI (milepost 151.25); 
and (2) its entire Rogers City Branch, which extends northward from 
Lake State's main line at Posen, MI (milepost 141.8), to Rogers City, 
MI, where it ends at RCB milepost 11.5, a total distance of 37.55 miles 
in Alpena and Presque Isle Counties, MI. The line segments traverse

[[Page 8761]]

U.S. Postal Zip Codes 49707, 49776, and 49779, and include the stations 
of Posen (milepost 140), Larocque (milepost 150), and Calcite (milepost 
10.9).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in Lake State's possession will be made available 
promptly to those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by 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 22, 2000.
    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 the filing 
fee, which currently is set at $1,000. 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 March 13, 2000. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-534 (Sub-No. 2X) 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) Andrew B. Kolesar III, 1224 
Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. Replies to the Lake 
State petition are due on or before March 13, 2000.
    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 1-800-
877-8339.]
    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 14, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-3941 Filed 2-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P