[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 250 (Monday, December 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 79689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32933]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 173X)]


Illinois Central Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Forrest County, MS

    On December 10, 2002, Illinois Central Railroad Company (IC) 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 rail line known as Central District Trackage, extending from 
milepost MH 0.66 to milepost MH 3.06, a distance of 2.4 miles, in 
Forrest County, MS. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 
39401 and includes no stations.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the railroad'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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by March 28, 2003.
    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 $1,100 
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 January 21, 2003. 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-43 (Sub-No. 173X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Michael J. 
Barron, Jr., 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, IL 60611-5317. 
Replies to the petition are due on or before January 21, 2003.
    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 and 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 the 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 
``http://WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    Decided: December 23, 2002.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-32933 Filed 12-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P