[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47057-47058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22635]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket Nos. AB-589X\1\; AB-295 (Sub-No. 4X)]


Monon Rail Preservation Corporation--Abandonment Exemption and 
the Indiana Rail Road Company--Discontinuance of Service Exemption; 
Monroe County, IN
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    \1\ The docket numbers of the parties were transposed in the 
petition for exemption.
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    On August 21, 2001, Monon Rail Preservation Corporation (Monon) and 
The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) (collectively, petitioners) 
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 Monon to abandon and for INRD to discontinue service over a 
1,500-foot segment of Monon's Ellettsville Line,\2\ extending from the 
end of the line at milepost Q213.41 to milepost Q213.69, in Monroe 
County, IN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 47429. 
There are no stations on the line.
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    \2\ INRD was granted local trackage rights over the entire 
Ellettsville Line in The Indiana Rail Road Company--Trackage Rights 
Exemption--Monon Rail Preservation Corporation, STB Finance Docket 
No. 33669 (STB served Oct. 16, 1998). Subsequently, INRD was 
authorized to operate the Ellettsville Line in The Indiana Rail Road 
Company--Operation Exemption--Monon Rail Preservation Corporation, 
STB Finance Docket No. 33670 (STB served Feb. 21, 2001). Although 
petitioners characterize INRD's transaction as a discontinuance of 
trackage rights, they are technically seeking, with respect to the 
1,500-foot segment, discontinuance of INRD's service under the 
operating agreement, which superseded the trackage rights.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in Monon'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 December 7, 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 October 1, 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-589X and AB-295 (Sub-No. 4X) 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) John Broadley, 1054 
31st Street NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007. Replies to the 
petition are due on or before October 1, 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

[[Page 47058]]

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 31, 2001.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-22635 Filed 9-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P