[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12392-12393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5889]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-347 (Sub-No. 3X)]


Florida West Coast Railroad Company, Inc.--Abandonment and 
Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Alachua and Gilchrist Counties, 
FL

    On February 25, 2004, Florida West Coast Railroad Company, Inc. 
(FWCR), 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 and discontinue service over an approximately 13-mile line of 
railroad extending from milepost 734.0, in Trenton, to milepost 721.0, 
in Newberry, in Alachua and Gilchrist Counties, FL. The line traverses 
United States Postal Service ZIP Codes 32669 and 32693, and includes no 
stations.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in FWCR'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 June 14, 2004.\1\
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    \1\ FWCR initially proposed a consummation date of April 15, 
2004. FWCR's representative has subsequently acknowledged that, if 
its petition is granted, consummation cannot occur before the Board 
has authorized the proposed abandonment and discontinuance.
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    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 April 5, 2004. Each

[[Page 12393]]

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-347 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) David H. 
Anderson, Law Office of David H. Anderson, 288 Littleton Road, Suite 
21, Westford, MA 01886. Replies to the FWCR petition are due on or 
before April 5, 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 (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 Web site at 
www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: March 11, 2004.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-5889 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P