[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 67508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 405X)]


The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company--Abandonment 
Exemption--in Jefferson, Gage, and Pawnee Counties, NE

    On November 12, 2003, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway 
Company (BNSF), 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 a line of railroad extending between milepost 57.80, 
near Pawnee, and milepost 117.03, near Endicott, a distance of 
approximately 59.23 miles in Jefferson, Gage, and Pawnee Counties, NE. 
The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 68420, 68323, 
68381, 68466, 68310, 68415, 68432, 68352, and 68350, and includes the 
following stations: Burchard, Liberty, Wymore, Krider, Odell, and 
Diller.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in BNSF'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 March 1, 2004.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) will be due no later than 
10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for 
exemption. See 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2). 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 22, 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-6 (Sub-No. 405X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Michael 
Smith, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606-6677. Replies 
to the BNSF petition are due on or before December 22, 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 after 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 website at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: November 21, 2003.

    By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-29711 Filed 12-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P