[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32270]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-400 (Sub-No. 3X)]


Seminole Gulf Railway, L.P.--Abandonment Exemption--in Sarasota 
County, FL

    On December 15, 2003, Seminole Gulf Railway, L.P. (SGLR), 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 12.43-mile portion of its Venice Branch between milepost 
SW 892 outside the city limits of the City of Sarasota, and milepost 
904.4 near the City of Venice, in Sarasota County, FL. The line 
includes a ``wye'' and stub at approximately milepost SW 904.2 and side 
tracks. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 
34233, 34238, 34272, 34275, and 34285, and includes the stations of 
Laurel (milepost SW 900), Nakomis (milepost SW 902), and Venice 
(milepost SW 904).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in SGLR'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 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 April 2, 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 January 22, 2004. 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-400 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Eric M. 
Hocky, Gollatz, Griffin & Ewing, P.C., Four Penn Center, Suite 200, 
1600 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Replies to the 
petition are due on or before January 22, 2004.
    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 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: December 22, 2003.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-32270 Filed 12-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P