[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 160 (Thursday, August 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 50274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20977]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 208X)]


The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company--
Abandonment Exemption--in Cumberland and Roane Counties, TN

    On July 28, 2000, The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific 
Railway Company (CNOTP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern 
Railway Company, 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 to abandon a line of railroad known as the Crab Orchard 
Line, between milepost 141.5-H at Crab Orchard and milepost 156.9-H at 
Rockwood, a distance of 15.4 miles in Cumberland and Roane Counties, 
TN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 37723, 37842, and 
37854, and includes the stations of Crab Orchard, Daysville, Ozone, and 
Rockwood.
    In addition to an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10903, petitioner seeks 
exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 (offer of financial assistance 
procedures) and 49 U.S.C. 10905 (public use conditions). In support, 
CNOTP contends that exemption from these provisions is necessary to 
permit conveyance of the line to the sole shipper on the line, Franklin 
Industries, for continued operation as a private industrial lead track. 
CNOTP also requests expedited effectiveness of the exemption on service 
of the final decision. CNOTP avers that expedited effectiveness is 
needed here so that ownership of the line may be promptly transferred 
to the shipper for necessary maintenance and rehabilitation of the 
right-of-way. These requests will be addressed in the final decision.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in CNOTP'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 November 15, 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 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 September 6, 2000. 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-290 (Sub-No. 208X) 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) James R. Paschall, Norfolk Southern 
Railway Company, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-2191. 
Replies to the CNOTP petition are due on or before September 6, 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: August 10, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-20977 Filed 8-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P