[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36831-36832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17579]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket Nos. AB-565 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-55 (Sub-No. 598X)]


New York Central Lines, LLC--Abandonment Exemption--in Middlesex 
County, MA; CSX Transportation, Inc.--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Middlesex County, MA

    On June 25, 2001, New York Central Lines, LLC (NYC), and CSX 
Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), jointly 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 for NYC to abandon and

[[Page 36832]]

CSXT to discontinue service over a 4.80-mile portion of a line of 
railroad known as the Albany Division, Fitchburg Subdivision, extending 
from milepost QBS 0.00 at Framingham to milepost QBS 4.80 at South 
Sudbury, in Middlesex County, MA.\1\ The line traverses U.S. Postal 
Service Zip Code 01701. There are no stations on the line.
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    \1\ CSX Corporation, CSXT's parent company, and Norfolk Southern 
Corporation jointly acquired control of Conrail Inc., and its wholly 
owned subsidiary, Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail). As a 
result of that acquisition, certain assets of Conrail have been 
assigned to NYC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Conrail, to be 
exclusively operated by CSXT pursuant to an operating agreement. The 
line to be abandoned is included among the property being operated 
by CSXT pursuant to the NYC operating agreement.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroads' 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 12, 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 August 2, 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 
Nos. AB-565 (Sub-No. 1X) and AB-55 (Sub-No. 593X) 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) Natalie S. 
Rosenberg, 500 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Replies to the 
exemption petition are due on or before August 2, 2001.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment and 
discontinuance 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: July 9, 2001.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-17579 Filed 7-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P