[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35827-35828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17079]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-57 (Sub-No. 52X)]


Soo Line Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Hennepin 
County, MN

    On June 21, 2001, Soo Line Railroad Company, doing business as 
Canadian Pacific Railway (Soo Line) 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 4.7+/- 
mile line of railroad, the 29th Street Corridor, also known as the 
``Depression Line'', between milepost 428.3+/-(TC&W switch turnout west 
of France Avenue) and milepost 423.6+/-(near the eastern edge of Cedar 
Avenue), in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN. The line traverses U.S. 
Postal Service Zip Codes 55406, 55407, 55408, and 55416. There are no 
stations on the line.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in Soo Line'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 October 9, 2001.\1\
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    \1\ Soo Line seeks expedited consideration of the petition 
because it is currently paying Hennepin County Regional Rail 
Authority (Authority), the owner of the majority of the underlying 
real estate, an easement fee annually of $44,000, or nearly $850.00 
per week, which payments petitioner is obligated to make until 
abandonment authority has been obtained and the track has been 
removed from the corridor. Soo Line adds that it wants to reuse the 
line's rail on other parts of its system and asserts that the 
Authority is seeking to obtain possession of the corridor as soon as 
possible to begin work on a trail extension on a portion of the 
line. Petitioner asks that the Board grant abandonment authority by 
July 15, 2001. As petitioner is aware, the Board must comply with 
procedural and substantial requirements, including environmental and 
historic preservation requirements, that preclude honoring such a 
request. The Board will act in compliance with statutory and 
regulatory requirements as expeditiously as possible.
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    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 1152.27 or for trail use/rail banking under 
49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than July 31, 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-57 (Sub-No. 52X) 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) Diane P. Gerth, 150 South 5th 
Street, Suite 2300, Minneapolis, MN 55402. Replies to the petition are 
due on or before July 31, 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.]

[[Page 35828]]

    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 (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: June 29, 2001.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17079 Filed 7-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P