[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1372-1373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-503]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-577X]


Mohall Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Bottineau, 
Renville, Ward and McHenry Counties, ND

    On December 19, 2000, Mohall Railroad, Inc. (MRI) 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 a line 
of railroad known as the Mohall Line, extending from milepost 5.25 to 
milepost 35.0, a distance of 29.75 miles in Bottineau, Renville, Ward 
and McHenry Counties ND.\1\ The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip 
Codes 58731, 58740, 58741, and 58750, and includes the stations of 
Deering (milepost 12.9), Wolseth (approximately milepost 18), and 
Glenburn (milepost 24.3).
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    \1\ The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), 
as successor to the Burlington Northern Railroad Company, is 
generally prohibited from abandoning in excess of 350 miles of rail 
lines in North Dakota, a mileage total BNSF has already reached. See 
section 402 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
Appropriation Act of 1982 (Pub. L. No. 97-102, 1982). This 
limitation applies to the abandonment of any BNSF lines in North 
Dakota, even after their sale to third parties, and would thus 
normally be applicable to the Mohall Line. However, by an amendment 
effective October 5, 2000, the specific segment of track involved 
here may be abandoned without being counted against this 350-mile 
limitation. See Pub. L. No. 106-940, sec. 372.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in MRI'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 April 6, 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 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 January 29, 2001. 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-577X 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) Mark S. Radke and Byron D. Olsen, Felhaber, 
Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, P.A., 601 Second Ave., South, Suite 4200, 
Minneapolis, MN 55402. Replies to the petition are due on or before 
January 29, 2001.
    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.

[[Page 1373]]

    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: January 3, 2001.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-503 Filed 1-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P