[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 1077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-334]



[[Page 1077]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 168X)]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Hardin 
County, IA (Eldora Junction Line in Eldora, IA)

    On December 19, 2002, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 to abandon and discontinue service over a segment of line, 
known as the Eldora Junction Line, extending from milepost 5.10 to 
milepost 6.22, a distance of 1.12 miles, in Hardin County, IA. The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 50627 and includes no stations.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in UP's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected 
by the abandonment shall be protected under 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 April 8, 2003.
    Any offer of financial assistance 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 January 28, 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-33 (Sub-No. 168X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Mack H. 
Shumate, Jr., 101 North Wacker Drive, Room 1920, Chicago, IL 60606. 
Replies to the UP petition are due on or before January 28, 2003.
    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) 565-1552. [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 
``http://www.stb.dot.gov.''

    Decided: December 31, 2002.

    By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-334 Filed 1-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P