[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 58748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25611]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-33 (Sub-No. 203X)]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Harris 
County, TX

    On September 23, 2003, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 
for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon the 
remaining portion of the Columbia Tap Industrial Lead, extending from 
milepost .064 near Walker and Palmer Streets to milepost 1.54 near 
Trulley and Velasco Streets in Houston, Harris County, TX, a distance 
of .90 miles. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 77003 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 January 9, 2004.
    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 October 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-33 (Sub-No. 203X) 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 October 30, 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) 565-1539. [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 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: October 3, 2003.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-25611 Filed 10-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P