[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 59596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24097]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-448 (Sub-No. 2X)]


SF&L Railway, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Hancock, McDonough, 
Fulton and Peoria Counties, IL

    On September 3, 2002, SF&L Railway, Inc. (SF&L) 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 its 
entire line of railroad extending between milepost 194.5 at La Harpe 
and milepost 123.0 at Peoria, a distance of approximately 71.5 miles, 
in Hancock, McDonough, Fulton and Peoria Counties, IL. The line 
traverses United States Postal Zip Codes 61420, 61475, 61438, 61422, 
61459, 61477, 61427, 61520, 61533, and 61547, serving the intermediate 
points of Blandinsville, Sciota, Good Hope, Bushnell, New Philadelphia, 
Smithfield, Cuba, Canton, Glasford, and Mapleton.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in SF&L's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    In this proceeding, SF&L is proposing to abandon a line that 
constitutes its entire rail system. When issuing abandonment authority 
for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the 
Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically 
enumerated circumstances. See Northampton and Bath R. Co.--Abandonment, 
354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (Northampton). Therefore, if the Board 
grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one 
or more of the exceptions articulated in Northampton are present, no 
labor protective conditions will be imposed.
    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 20, 2002.
    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 $1,100 
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 15, 2002. 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-448 (Sub-No.2X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Fritz R. 
Kahn, 1920 N Street NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036-1601. Replies 
to the SF&L petition are due on or before October 15, 2002.
    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) 565-1552. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available 
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) 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 Web site at 
``www.stb.dot.gov.''

    Decided: September 16, 2002.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-24097 Filed 9-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P