[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 44436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21331]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-330 (Sub-No. 3X)]


Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Wilkin and Otter Tail Counties, MN

    On August 3, 2001, Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company (OTVR) 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 2.65-mile line of railroad known as the Foxhome branch, 
extending between milepost 58.8 near French, MN, and milepost 61.45 
near Foxhome, MN (the end of the line), in Wilkin and Otter Tail 
Counties, MN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 56537 
and 56543, and includes the station of Foxhome.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in OTVR'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 21, 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 September 12, 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-330 (Sub-No. 3X) 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) Louis E. Gitomer, 1455 F St., NW, 
Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the petition are due on or 
before September 12, 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.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: August 17, 2001.

    By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-21331 Filed 8-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P