[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65759-65760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29142]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 643X)]


CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in LaPorte, 
Porter and Starke Counties, IN

    On November 3, 2003, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), 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 an 
approximately 32.97-mile line of railroad, in CSXT's Western Region, 
Chicago Division, Wabash Subdivision, extending from milepost CF 0.63, 
at LaCrosse, to milepost CF 15.23, at Wellsboro, and from milepost CI 
212.55,

[[Page 65760]]

at North Judson, to milepost CI 230.92, at Malden, in LaPorte, Porter 
and Starke Counties, IN. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip 
Codes 46340, 46348, 46366, 46382, 46383, and 46390, and includes 
stations at Malden, LaCrosse, and North Judson.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in CSXT'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 February 20, 2004.
    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 December 11, 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-55 (Sub-No. 643X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Natalie 
S. Rosenberg, Senior Counsel, 500 Water Street--J150, Jacksonville, FL 
32202. Replies to the petition are due on or before December 11, 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 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: November 17, 2003.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-29142 Filed 11-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P