[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 63117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26917]



[[Page 63117]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-303 (Sub-No. 22X)]


Wisconsin Central Ltd.--Abandonment Exemption--in Calumet and 
Brown Counties, WI

    On October 2, 2000, Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) 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 line of railroad known as the Hilbert-Greenleaf Line, extending 
between milepost 170.4 at Hilbert and milepost 183 at Greenleaf, in 
Calumet and Brown Counties, WI, a distance of 12.6 miles. The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 54129, 54123 and 54126, and 
includes the station at Greenleaf (milepost 183).
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    \1\ WCL's petition states that it seeks exemption from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903-05, thus evidently including exemption 
from the offer of financial assistance (OFA) requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 10904 and the public use requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10905. WCL 
has not submitted evidence to establish that the proposed exemptions 
from the sections 10904 and 10905 meet the criteria of 49 U.S.C. 
10502. Therefore, its request as to those two provisions will not be 
considered.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in WC'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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by January 19, 2001.
    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 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 November 9, 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-303 (Sub-No. 22X) 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) Michael J. Barron, Jr., P.O. Box 
5062, Rosemont, IL 60017-5062. Replies to the WCL petition are due on 
or before November 9, 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: October 12, 2000.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-26917 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P