[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 12400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6176]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 30186 (Sub-No. 3)]


Tongue River Railroad Co.--Construction and Operation--Western 
Alignment

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of Decision Allowing Supplemental Pleadings To Be Filed 
in Construction and Operation Application.\1\

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    \1\ Notice of this application and an initial procedural 
schedule were published in the Federal Register on June 23, 1998.
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SUMMARY: The Board is giving notice that it is allowing the Tongue 
River Railroad Company (TRRC) to supplement its application,\2\ filed 
on April 27, 1998, to construct and operate 17.3 miles of track, called 
the Western Alignment, to be built between Decker, MT, and a point 17.3 
miles north of Decker. The track would connect with a rail line 
previously approved for construction in Tongue River Railroad Company--
Rail Construction and Operation--Ashland to Decker, Montana, Finance 
Docket No. 30186 (Sub-No. 2) (STB served Nov. 8, 1996) (Tongue River 
II). The proceeding has been held in abeyance at applicant's request 
since March 2, 2000. The Board will permit TRRC to tender supplemental 
evidence. The Board will establish a procedural schedule for replies 
after TRRC has filed its evidence and the agency has had an opportunity 
to review it.
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    \2\ The supplemental information TRRC submits will not address 
any of the environmental issues raised in this proceeding. These 
matters will be considered separately in the environmental review 
process, which will be conducted by the Board's Section of 
Environmental Analysis (SEA). SEA intends to reinstitute shortly the 
environmental review process by publishing an appropriate notice in 
the Federal Register.

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DATES: The Board's decision is effective on March 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of all pleadings referring to 
STB Finance Docket No. 30186 (Sub-No. 3) to: Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. All filings must 
be concurrently served on all parties of record and TRRC's 
representative: Betty Jo Christian, Esq., Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036, (202) 429-3000, FAX 
(202) 429-3902.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 565-1600. 
[Federal Relay Information Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339.]
    Copies of the application are available for public inspection at 
the offices of either the Surface Transportation Board or the 
applicant, Tongue River Railroad Company, 550 North 31st Street, Suite 
250, P.O. Box 1181, Billings, MT 59102.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.
    This decision will not significantly affect either the quality of 
the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Decided: March 10, 2003.

    By the Board, Chairman Nober, Vice Chairman Burkes, and 
Commissioner Morgan.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-6176 Filed 3-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P