[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22901-22902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9255]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-868X; 869X]


Mississippi Tennessee Holdings, LLC--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Union, Pontotoc and Chickasaw Counties, MS and Discontinuance of 
Service Exemption--in Union, Pontotoc and Chickasaw Counties, MS

    On April 7, 2004, Mississippi Tennessee Holdings, LLC (MTH) and 
Mississippi Tennessee Railroad LLC (MTR) jointly filed with the Board a 
petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 
U.S.C. 10903. MTH seeks to abandon and MTR seeks to discontinue service 
over a line of railroad extending from milepost 324.2 near New Albany 
and the end of the line at milepost 281.0 near Houston, MS, a distance 
of 43.2 miles in Union, Pontotoc and Chickasaw Counties, MS. The line 
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 38863, 38850 and 38851 
and includes stations located at Pontotoc, Houlka and Houston, MS.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in possession of MTH or MTR 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 July 26, 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 May 17, 2004. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a filing fee, which will be $200 as of 
April 28, 2004. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27), as amended in Regulations 
Governing Fees for Services Performed in Connection with Licensing and 
Related Services--2002 New Fees, STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 4) (STB 
served and published Mar. 29, 2004) (69 FR 16173).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket 
Nos. AB-868X and AB-869X and must be sent to (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Thomas F. 
McFarland, 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604-
1112. Replies to the petition are due on or before May 17, 2004.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public

[[Page 22902]]

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 
www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: April 19, 2004.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-9255 Filed 4-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P