[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53427-53428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22907]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 240X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Gaston County, NC

    On August 21, 2003, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 to abandon a 5-mile portion of rail line extending between 
milepost HG-47.0 at Gastonia and milepost HG-52.0 at Dallas (Gebo), in 
Gaston County, NC. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 
28052, 28053, 28054 and 28034 and includes stations at Gastonia and 
Dallas (Gebo).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in NSR'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 December 9, 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 September 30, 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-290 (Sub-No. 240X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) James R. 
Paschall, Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Three Commercial Place, 
Norfolk, VA 23510. Replies to the NSR petition are due on or before 
September 30, 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 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) 565-1539. [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

[[Page 53428]]

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: September 3, 2003.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-22907 Filed 9-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P